Summer never seems to last long enough and, before you know it, it's fall already. Ideally, you have been able to have some good experiences under the shining summer sun, but fall is here now, and winter is not far behind. You can take advantage of the fall season to make sure Old Man Winter doesn't catch you off guard.
One of the most obvious preparations to make is to take care of any water-based items you don't want freezing. If you have a birdbath, it should be emptied and cleaned. If you have a pool, it should be cleaned, winterized based on the type, and covered with a tarp. You can also add insulation to your pipes. You can test their insulation levels by feeling them. If they are warm to the touch, heat is being transferred through the metal. You can make them more effective by finding pipe insulation material at a hardware store. This not only helps keep them from freezing, but reduces the amount of heat lost on the water's journey from the heater to the faucet.
In many states, winter means lots of snow. This makes it hugely important to make sure the gutters are unobstructed. If water from rain or melted snow is unable to run off, it can lead to many problems for your roof. After the leaves fall, it's a good idea to grab a ladder and make sure that they are not clogging up your gutter.
If you use a window-mounted air-conditioning unit during the summer, it should be taken out and stowed for the winter. If you have a central air system, be sure to change out the filters. While you're at it, you might even consider replacing the dryer filter. The more dry air of fall and winter can slightly increase the chance of dryer-related fires.
Drafty homes can be an enormous drain on home energy use. If heat keeps escaping, the furnace has to work harder to keep the temperature up. You can check the seals on your doors and window to make sure they aren't letting in a cold draft. You can use the time-tested "draft snake" to plug up the bottoms of drafty doors. Just roll up a blanket or towel and stuff the gap with it.
Your lawn will enter a state where it stops growing during the colder months, so you won't need to worry too much about lawn maintenance during this time, save for the final chore of raking up and removing the leaves once they have all fallen. Before you put your mower and other tools away in a protected area, clean and look over them for maintenance issues, making sure they'll be good to go when spring comes.
Any patio furniture should cleaned according the manufacturer instructions and stowed or covered. You'll probably be relying a lot on your water heater and fireplace, so you'll want to make sure they are in tip top shape.
Fall can be a perfect time to take care of what needs to be done before winter.. You never want to wait until the last minute to make sure you're ready for winter. If the snow comes early, you could be caught off guard, and be forced to deal with bigger problems in a cold and wet environment. How much better it is to get things done when the weather is mild.
One of the most obvious preparations to make is to take care of any water-based items you don't want freezing. If you have a birdbath, it should be emptied and cleaned. If you have a pool, it should be cleaned, winterized based on the type, and covered with a tarp. You can also add insulation to your pipes. You can test their insulation levels by feeling them. If they are warm to the touch, heat is being transferred through the metal. You can make them more effective by finding pipe insulation material at a hardware store. This not only helps keep them from freezing, but reduces the amount of heat lost on the water's journey from the heater to the faucet.
In many states, winter means lots of snow. This makes it hugely important to make sure the gutters are unobstructed. If water from rain or melted snow is unable to run off, it can lead to many problems for your roof. After the leaves fall, it's a good idea to grab a ladder and make sure that they are not clogging up your gutter.
If you use a window-mounted air-conditioning unit during the summer, it should be taken out and stowed for the winter. If you have a central air system, be sure to change out the filters. While you're at it, you might even consider replacing the dryer filter. The more dry air of fall and winter can slightly increase the chance of dryer-related fires.
Drafty homes can be an enormous drain on home energy use. If heat keeps escaping, the furnace has to work harder to keep the temperature up. You can check the seals on your doors and window to make sure they aren't letting in a cold draft. You can use the time-tested "draft snake" to plug up the bottoms of drafty doors. Just roll up a blanket or towel and stuff the gap with it.
Your lawn will enter a state where it stops growing during the colder months, so you won't need to worry too much about lawn maintenance during this time, save for the final chore of raking up and removing the leaves once they have all fallen. Before you put your mower and other tools away in a protected area, clean and look over them for maintenance issues, making sure they'll be good to go when spring comes.
Any patio furniture should cleaned according the manufacturer instructions and stowed or covered. You'll probably be relying a lot on your water heater and fireplace, so you'll want to make sure they are in tip top shape.
Fall can be a perfect time to take care of what needs to be done before winter.. You never want to wait until the last minute to make sure you're ready for winter. If the snow comes early, you could be caught off guard, and be forced to deal with bigger problems in a cold and wet environment. How much better it is to get things done when the weather is mild.
About the Author:
People who love their homes expend a lot of time and energy to keep them well-maintained. And it can be a big motivating factor if you live in the home of your dreams. SeaPac Homes constructs new homes in Washington. Look no further for your dream home!
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