Fall is the most beautiful time of year! After the leaves start falling we know the temperatures are going to drop also. Take some time to prepare your house for the changing weather so that you stay warm and cozy:
Rake leaves. Some prefer to mulch leaves with a lawn mower. Either way, clean up those leaves so that your grass grows back healthy and green next year! This also keeps storm drains clear of debris so rain and snow have a place to drain to.
Clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure water has a place to go that isn’t inside your home. You can use a leaf blower to remove dry debris from gutters but you will probably want gloves to remove any soggy leaves that are stuck in there. Spray a hose down the downspout to check for clogs.
Seal gaps. Seal any gaps in siding and add caulk around the windows and doors. Doing so will prevent the house from being drafty and keep unwanted guests from moving in!
Unscrew the hose from the spigot. This lets the remaining water drain so that it doesn’t freeze and burst the pipe. Store the hose inside to increase its lifespan.
Stock up on winter supplies. Basics include a shovel, salt, and an ice scraper for the car. It never hurts to have an emergency kit as well in case you lose power or heat!
Service the furnace and replace the filter.Furnaces always seem to go out on the coldest day of the year and it can take a few days to get it up and running again!
Inspect the roof. Check for damaged or missing shingles where water might start coming in. If snow accumulates on the roof it could cause further damage once it freezes and melts a couple times.
Trim trees.Trim branches that overhang the house to prevent them from falling during a storm or winter weather. Keep landscaping around the sides of the home trimmed back so they don’t damage the siding.
If you need a professional to help with any maintenance or repairs to your home, we can refer you to someone that can help! Call us at 201.596.6236
You won’t regret spending some quality time with your home in preparation for colder weather.
