Fall is the right time to get your home ready for winter. These 10 home maintenance tasks will put your house and property in great shape to withstand the cold temperatures and harsh weather that is on the way.
1. Check your Roof for Damage
Now is a good time to inspect the roof for damage, loose or missing shingles. Moisture getting where it doesn’t belong and then freezing can cause serious damage to the roof deck, creating openings that rain and melting snow can get into. Inspect the roof from the ground with a pair of binoculars to get a better look or have a roofing contractor handle the inspection.
2. Repair Gutters
The fall and winter months can bring a lot of wet weather, and spring brings melting snow in many parts of the country. If your gutters aren’t in good condition, that water can be dumped next to your home’s foundation and find its way into your basement.
3. Add Weatherstripping to Doors and Windows
Windows and doors are the major cause of heat loss in winter. Adding quality weatherstripping will pay for itself in lower utility bills, and your home will be more comfortable too.
4. Seal your Driveway
Both concrete driveways and asphalt driveways should have a good coat of sealant on them before winter hits. The same freeze and thaw cycles that create spring potholes can damage a poorly-sealed driveway. Start by filling any cracks that are present and then use a quality sealant to seal your driveway and protect its surface.
5. Stain and Seal the Deck
Moisture getting into wood deck and freezing can do lots of damage too. Protect your investment by making sure your deck is sealed before winter hits.
6. Have your Heating System Cleaned
A dirty furnace or heat pump coils will rob your heating system of efficiency, making it more expensive to heat your home this winter. The heating system will also work harder if it’s not.
7. Trim Trees
Tree branches laden with heavy snow and ice can break, coming down on your home, the garage, outbuildings or your vehicles. Trim overhanging tree branches and fully-remove large, dead branches.
8. Wash your Windows
Get your windows washed before cold weather hits and you’ll have a clear view this winter. In addition, dirty windows can reduce the amount of natural light coming through, and in winter, getting as much light into your home as possible is important.
9. Winterize Lawn Equipment
If you have a garden tractor, lawnmower, gas-powered leaf blower or chainsaw, winterize them by draining the gas tank or adding a stabilizer to them. This will ensure that they’ll start easier in the spring.
10. Clean the Carpet and Upholstery
Carpet and upholstery can harbor allergens and cause problems for you this winter, especially if a furnace or air handler is moving air around. You’ll likely spend more of your time indoors than you do in other seasons, so you want your home to be as free as possible from dust, dirt and other allergens.
Getting these fall maintenance tasks out of the way will mean you don’t have to worry about them in the coming months, and your home will be in great shape to welcome Old Man Winter.
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