How to Get Your Home Ready for Fall

As the temperatures drop and unfavorable weather arrives a house must be properly prepared for the changes.

As the temperatures drop and unfavorable weather arrives a house must be properly prepared for the changes.  Summer weather has its own challenges but winter weather can be particularly difficult on a home’s structure.  As fall arrives it is a great time to start preparing your home for the different seasons ahead so that you can prevent damage before the cold really sets in.  When you prepare your home you can not only anticipate any necessary replacements and make them in advance but you can make adjustments and prepare things so that your existing structure and other home features are protected with prolongs their life and helps reduce the amount of money spent over time on your home.

Assessing your home’s specific needs will start by taking a walk around the inside of your home and then the outside of your home to see if you notice any immediate issues that should be addressed right away.  One of the biggest issues many homeowners face is drafty windows and doorways.  If you are unsure about whether or not you have drafts, do not worry, checking is easy.  Hold a candle close to the seams and if the flame bends or flickers at all, you have a draft.  Check the caulk and consider re-sealing your windows so that you stay comfortable (and energy efficient!) all winter long.  Next, it is important to check your smoke alarms.  The majority of home fires occur during the winter months with holidays and all of the added electricity from additional lighting, candles and fireplace use.  It is important to seasonally check your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly for your home’s safety and family’s safety.  After that, move outside and clean out your gutters.  While a lot of leaves will obviously fall throughout the fall and winter it is important to start off the season with clean gutters.  If water gets trapped in gutters from a clog it can freeze and cause significant damage to your home.  Keep gutters clean to protect your home and keep water flowing where it should.  While you are outside it is time to clean up your landscape.  Trim trees and shrubs and give the grass a nice trim.  Additionally, it is wise to rake up leaves and debris.  This will help prevent damage during the cold or freezing months and prepare your plants to survive so that when it starts to warm up they are ready to grow and thrive again.  It is also a wise time to check your roof for any damage and ensure it is in working order before the cold months arrive that can bring rain, hail and snow.  Lastly, if you do not already have one, consider installing a programmable thermostat.  Programmable thermostats and smart thermostats can save you a significant amount of money throughout the year and the winter is a great time to start using one to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient.  Some of these things are quite easy for any homeowner to do and others require expertise and knowledge to properly complete.  Consider hiring a qualified handyman to help you ready your home for fall and winter to keep your home safe and comfortable and reduce the risk of damage to your home.