Summer is over, the kids are back in school and Winter is coming. Okay, maybe not just yet, but Fall is here! With the weather cooling down, you have more to update than just your wardrobe. Preparing your home for Autumn and Winter is extremely important to maintain your property and ensure no major issues arise in the midst of the seasons. Here are a handful of things to add to your list to prepare your home for the cooler months.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is important for a number of reasons. First, it helps prevent possible roof damage. When your gutters are clogged, water can flood over causing damage and leaks. Another good reason to clean your gutters is to avoid pest issues as clogged gutters can attract many different birds and insects. To read more about why it is important to keep your gutters clean visit this website.
Inspect and Clean Your Chimney
The National Fire Protection Association says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”
Turn off And Drain Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers
Pipes left with water in them that reach freezing temperatures have an increased risk of bursting which could ultimately be costly and create time consuming repairs. Avoid the possibility and clear water out of outdoor faucets and sprinklers to prepare your home for the cooler months.
Remove Dead Tree Limbs
Removing dead and diseased branches not only helps prevent disease from killing your tree, but it also prevent possible serious damage to your home or areas of your property where the dead limbs may fall.
Inspect Your Windows and Doors
First, leaks or cracks cause poor insulation resulting in an increase in your energy bills. To avoid this, you can do a handful of things. First, check for worn or loose weather striping. Next, clean off debris and dirt around in the sills or around moving parts. You can also try adding window treatments or heavy drapery to keep the cool air out.
Complete a Home Safety Check
First on your list should be to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors. A good way to remember to do this is to always replace the batteries when you change the clock for daylight saving time. Next, if you haven’t already prepared one, put together an emergency preparedness kit so that you are ready for winter power outages or other emergencies.
Dont’ Delay
Most of these items have a timeframe in which they should be completed. No one wants to be cleaning gutters in a storm after it’s potentially too late. Don’t delay, prepare your home for the cooler months now and so you don’t have to worry about it later!
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