As the memories of summer events and vacations begin to fade, now is a great time to prepare for the colder weather that’s right around the corner.
Taking care of fall cleaning & maintenance will provide an easier seasonal transition. It’s much simpler to complete many of these during moderate weather conditions. Taking proactive steps now will save you money, preserve or increase your home value and keep you and your loved ones more comfortable through the chillier weather that’s ahead. Mother Nature doesn’t procrastinate. Neither should you!
ORGANIZING AND PLANNING FOR FALL CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
Whether you’re organizing and rearranging, or cleaning the garage or house this is time well spent. As we head into the colder months, well organized living area, garage space and a yard that’s been prepared for winter insures less stress and frustration. Listed here are several worthwhile tips to help you get both the interior and exterior of your home and yard ready for the cold weather.
1. INSPECT AND CLEAN THE GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS
These play an extremely critical role in keeping water away from your home’s foundation. With fall, leaves and small twigs can quickly clog and decrease the effectiveness of your gutters.
- Thoroughly clean out the gutters and downspouts that can lead to to water and ice damage.
- Install gutters guards if there are trees close to the house.
- Make certain that the downspouts are extended to dump water from the roof at least six to eight feet from the foundation.
2. INSPECT YOUR ROOF FOR:
- Damaged or missing shingles. Both will eventually lead to leaks.
- Any damage to the flashing around vent pipes and the chimney.
- If in doubt or unsure of what to look for, call a reputable roofing company.
3. CLEAN WINDOWS AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL STORM WINDOWS
- No one will argue that there’s nothing like a clean window, both inside and out! Your disposition will be better with clean glass!
- If you use storm windows, install them now.
- If you have older windows, add the plastic film insulation to help reduce heat loss.
4. SEAL CRACKS AND GAPS
Heating your home is expensive. Cold air will find its way into your home through even small cracks. Sealing cracks will increase your comfort and will lighten the load a bit on your heating bills.
- Carefully inspect all windows and doors for drafts. Weatherstrip or caulk as needed.
- Don’t forget places like around pipes, vents, wires, attic hatches and the refrigerant line for your central air conditioning condensing unit.
- Any gaps or cracks in the foundation wall or house siding should be sealed as well.
5. SERVICE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM
Fall is a great time to ensure that your furnace, heat pump or boiler system is in good working order. The last thing you want is to discover that your heater doesn’t work during the first cold spell of the season and service contractors are booked a week out.
- Schedule a local professional HVAC contractor for an annual check. Some offer discounts for scheduling in late summer or early fall, in order take some pressure off their work load once it gets colder.
- Be sure to replace the furnace filter.
- Consider hiring a professional to clean the duct work and air vents to allow for optimal airflow and efficiency.
- How about installing a programmable thermostat that will adjust automatically to a lower temperature while you’re out of the house.
- You might consider a home warranty that provides coverage for unexpected repairs, including those related to winter weather.
- If you have a wood burning fireplace, stove or insert, call a certified chimney cleaning company to inspect and clean your chimney system. Code says this should be done once a year. And, remember to make sure the wood you’re planning on using this year has been cut, split, stacked, covered and left to dry for at least a year. More heat, less creosote with dry, seasoned fuel.
6. INSPECT SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE (CO2) ALARMS
With your house closed up and your heating system running, winter-time can increase the risk of CO2 poisoning and house fires.
- Test all alarms once a month.
- Mark your calendar or put a note in your phone to replace the batteries in all alarms every 6 – 8 months, even if they’re not dead.
- Make sure you have a working smoke/CO2 detector on every level of your home, especially near the bedrooms.
7. PLUMBING CONSIDERATIONS
Nightmares are often the result of frozen water pipes. Frozen and/or broken pipes are one of the most damaging and expensive issues a homeowner faces.
- Insulate all exposed pipes, especially those in basements, garages and attic areas. Consider electric heat tape in severe cases.
- If you don’t have them, install frost-proof hose bibs and shut off the water supply to any exterior spigots if possible.
- Drain the water from the garden hose.
8. CHECK INSULATION LEVELS
Everyone knows that insulation keeps your home more comfortable and saves money on the heating (and air-conditioning) costs.
- Check the attic for sufficient insulation levels. You should not be able to see any ceiling joists or the bottom chord of a rafter. If you do, more insulation is needed.
- Add insulation to pipes and duct-work in unheated areas.
- If you don’t have one, give some thought about installing an insulated garage door(s).
- Consider hiring a contractor to help evaluate insulation needs in your home. Also, check with your public utility. Many companies offer programs that help customers identify deficiencies in home insulation levels.
9. CHECK THE SUMP PUMP
I have a phobia about flooded basements. Water in a basement can lead to several issues, none of them good. So, if your basement has a sump pump, it’s easy to test it to make sure it’s working. Simply pour enough water into the pit to raise the float high enough that the pump cycles on and off.
- If it sounds weird or doesn’t appear to be working, call a plumber for service. You definitely want to find out that it’s not operating sooner rather than later!
- Clean the pump and remove any debris in the sump.
10. PREPARE YOUR LAWN, INCLUDING THE LANDSCAPING
Doing a few chores now, sets the wheels in motion for a healthier yard in springtime.
- Keep leaves and pine needles raked up to prevent them from smothering the grass.
- Apply a fall fertilizer to help strengthen the grass before it goes dormant for the winter.
- Prune shrubs and trees and remove any dead or unwanted limbs.
- Mark your driveway, sidewalks and garden beds to help with snow removal with fiberglass rods or stakes.
- Consider aerating the lawn to improve nutrient absorption and root growth.
11. CLEAN, SHARPEN AND STORE LAWN EQUIPMENT
Once your lawn is pretty well set, it’s time to shift your attention from gardening and yard work to preparing for the winter.
- Clean and change the oil in your lawn mower, trimmer and other gas-powered tools.
- Now is a good time to sharpen and clean up lawn mower blades, shovels, hoes and other gardening tools so they’re ready to go next spring.
- Bring indoors or protect any delicate plants that cannot take the weather.
- The same goes for uncovered pots that that can crack in freezing weather.
12. DRAIN THE SPRINKLING SYSTEM
If you have an underground watering system, this is not an option. Failing to do so will lead to water freezing in the pipes and costly repairs.
- Hire a pro to blow out the lines. If you have one, use an air compressor if you’re experienced.
13. CHECK PORCH RAILING AND STEPS
Snow and ice can be serious hazards for many, so be sure that hand-rails and steps are sturdy.
- Inspect and repair loose railings or steps that are uneven.
- Consider adding grip tape or non-slip mats to outdoor stairs.
14. CHECK EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Good outdoor lighting is very important, not only for safety but from a security stand-point too. This is especially true as the days get shorter and the nights get longer.
- Clean light fixtures and replace any burned out bulbs.
- Consider the addition of motion sensitive lights for your sidewalk, driveway and porches.
- It should go without saying, but we’ll mention it anyway: keep all areas free of tripping hazards.
- Solar powered lights might be a good option on south facing walls.
15. PROTECTION FOR ENTRYWAYS
If your front door is frequently used and sees a lot of wear and tear, give some thought to the following.
- Add a durable mat both inside and out to catch debris, snow, dirt, etc. Your living room will stay cleaner!
- How about a boot tray for wet shoes and snow boots?
- A reminder to check for any gaps around all four sides of the door to keep drafts and bugs out, and warm air in.
16. CHECK YOUR NECESSARY SUPPLY OF WINTER ITEMS
Don’t procrastinate until that first blast of snow comes or that first freezing rain of the season.
- NOW is the time to buy ice melt, replace your snow shovel, buy tubes of sand for traction or additional weight and maybe checking your fuel supply for the snow blower. Hardware stores and big box stores often have early sales on the essentials. Don’t wait until supplies are low or you can’t get out of your driveway because of the ice.
- Restock that emergency kit you keep in your vehicles. Flashlights and batteries, blankets, water and snacks should be replenished.
- If you burn wood, find a spot in the garage where you keep 3 or 4 days’ supply on hand. I’ve had a half a dozen customers tell me they had to change their wood supply location because they couldn’t get to it because of large snowdrifts in the way.
17. REVERSING THE DIRECTION OF CEILING FANS
There are some that think this simple trick helps with heat distribution. Personally, I prefer to leave the ceiling fan spinning clockwise year-round. I believe the key to effective heat (and cool air) distribution is to simply keep the air moving and I keep my ceiling fans going in a clockwise direction year-round. Ceiling fans are a very effective way to do this, whether you have an 8 foot or a 20 foot high ceiling. Be sure to dust the motor housing and the blades of the fan, both top and bottom.
18. OTHER INDOOR PROJECTS INCLUDE:
- Vacuum cleaner: Empty canisters, clean attachments, replace filters, clean rollers, check exhaust system, check for a frayed or damaged power cord and check battery health on cordless models.
- Light fixtures: Inspect ceiling fixtures and lamps for burned out light bulbs and replace with energy efficient options.
- Thoroughly clean: Kitchen – Clean appliances inside and out, scrub countertops, organize your pantry, and pitch outdated and expired items. Don’t forget to move your fridge and stove away from the wall and clean behind and underneath them. Bathrooms – Scrub tiles, sanitize fixtures and either wash or replace old shower curtains and liners. Bedrooms – Wash all bedding, vacuum under the bed and rotate your mattress for even wear. Living Areas – Dust furniture, give the carpeting a thorough vacuuming and then shampoo it. Wipe down the walls and baseboards, especially the corners.
Consider adding new indoor plants to help add color to the room and brighten your space.
IN SUMMARY
Getting your house and yard ready for fall and winter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A little planning and maintenance now can help you avoid costly repairs, reduce energy bills and keep your home and loved ones safe and cozy throughout the season.
Break the tasks into manageable weekend projects and involve the whole family. I’m a big fan of child labor. So, if you have kids, get them involved. Get them involved young and they’re more apt to pitch in and help when they get a bit older. There’s nothing wrong with getting some help with raking and yard work and cleaning windows. Odds are, the kids or grandkids will enjoy helping and they’ll take pride in the work they’ve accomplished. I know Sophie and Audrey Anne sure do!
It’s comforting to know that your home is well-prepared to face the elements. Pour yourself a warm cup of cider, grab your checklist and start planning to get your home and lawn ready to embrace the beauty and challenges of fall and winter.
