As summertime is about to come to an end, you need to start preparing your home for fall and winter.
7 Home Maintenance Things to Do at the End of Summer in Preparation for Fall
1. Clean your gutters and downspouts.
Cleaning gutters and downspouts are something that nobody is looking forward to doing. However, it is important to regularly clean them especially as fall approaches. Getting rid of all the build-up caused by leaves, twigs, and other debris will prevent water from seeping into your home that could lead to bigger damages.
If you don’t have a ladder that’s tall enough to reach them, call in a specialist to get the job done for you.
2. Inspect your doors and windows for drafts.
As the cold weather rolls in, you want to ensure that your home is protected from the cold wind the change in weather brings. To keep the cold wind out and the warm air in, you need to check if there are gaps or cracks where air escapes.
Go around your house and inspect all windows and exterior doors. If you need to re-caulk them or replace their weatherstripping, do it as soon as you can. If you find that after repairs were made, you’re still getting a bit of a draft, consider replacing the windows.
3. Change or replace your filters.
Regularly checking on your heating and air conditioning system will help you determine you need to have preventive maintenance done. You can easily check on your vents, clean them, and replace filters if needed without any professional help. Doing this will make your home more energy-efficient which can save you a significant amount of money.
4. Give your windows a good cleaning.
One of the ways to fight cold weather is to let as much sunshine into your home. Giving your windows a good cleaning allows for more sunlight and warmth to come in. It is also a good way of inspecting your windows if they need repairs or re-caulking.
5. Fix cracks in your patio, walkway, and driveway.
Get to fixing cracks on concrete and asphalt all over your property as early as now, while the summer sun is still around. The sooner you get to fix them, the lesser the chances of having expensive resurfacing jobs done at home. Plus, you wouldn’t want to do this task in sub-zero temperatures.
6. Store your summer equipment and outdoor furniture properly.
Start gradually putting away summer things into storage. Make sure that you clean and dry them out well, especially pool-related equipment and toys before storing them so that you can still use them for next summer.
Similarly, store your grill and outdoor furniture properly, making sure they are covered well to protect them from winter winds and moisture.
7. Check your HVAC and prep your fireplace and furnace.
Summer’s almost done and before you know it, winter is just around the corner. Now’s the best time to prepare your heating and air system for wintertime. Clean out the ducts, perform repairs as needed, and prep your furnace and fireplace to make sure they are in good working condition. You wouldn’t want to be stuck with a busted furnace for the whole wintertime
Even if you think you still have enough time to do all of these, we recommend getting started as early as possible. Don’t procrastinate. Unless you want to crawl in your home’s crawlspace or climb up on the roof in below-zero temperatures. Get it done now and enjoy the rest of summer with no worries.