12 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Home for Fall

Home maintenance lists can feel intimidating. We want to make the job a little easier. This list gives you some really great ideas to prepare for the cooler months. Divide the list into 3 parts and tackle a few over the weekends. If you devote 2-3 hours in a weekend to handle 4 of these items, your home will be prepared for fall quickly and easily. 

Take a look at this list to demystify seasonal maintenance and prepare your home for fall and the upcoming winter months! 

1.    Clean Up Your Trees- Don’t wait until an ice storm to realize your trees were dangerously hanging over your home. Clean up low hanging branches or those that might affect your home in a storm. It may be smart to hire a professional for big jobs. Either way, now is the best time to prepare.

2.    Clean Gutters- Fall will bring more rain, more dirt, and more leaves to your gutters. Make sure they can handle the onslaught by cleaning them thoroughly now! If you’re wanting to go the extra mile, consider investing in gutter guards to help keep future debris at bay.  

3.    Hire a Chimneysweep- While this may feel like an extravagance, it’s a matter of safety. A chimneysweep will clear your chimney of extra debris before you light up those cool weather fires. Chimney fires are incredibly dangerous and deadly, make sure your home is safe.  

4.    Check Smoke Detectors- In line with our last point, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A new season gives you a great reminder to check your existing detectors and add them in any areas you may have missed. 

5.    Service Your Heating System- This isn’t necessarily a DIY project, but it could save you expensive bills in the chilly weather! Hire your HVAC professionals to come and service your system before the chill sets in. 

6.    Install New Air Filters- Whether or not your system gets a service call this year, it’s important to change your air filters! These keep your home cleaner, keep your system running smoothly, and could save you cash during the cold months.

7.    Check the Seal on Doors and Windows- If you have a drafty window or door, get it repaired now! Don’t wait until there’s snow on the ground and you’re blowing big bucks on heating to fix air leaks in your home. 

8.    Rodent-Proof Your Attic- You want to be in the warmth during the cold months, and so do rodents! Don’t let your attic turn into a rodent hotel. Keep critters from setting up shop in openings to your attic and other spaces in your home by covering the holes with mesh or some other type of protective material.

9.    Light the Way- This might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to seasonal maintenance. But it’s a great time to consider adding exterior lighting. As the days grow shorter the sun won’t be there when you return home from a long day. For safety and visibility, consider investing in new porch lights and sensor lights to help light the way.

10.  Give Your Lawn Some Love- Did you know that the roots on your lawn grass are actually deeper in the cold months? This means that it’s a great time to reseed your yard. Although it may look like nothing is happening, it’s important to invest in a greener lawn next year! 

11.  Put Away Outdoor Furniture and Decor- It’s so sad to say goodbye to the summer, but that doesn’t mean you should leave your summer furniture on the deck! Put away small items and cushions now. If you’d like, this is a great time to invest in some cool weather outdoor items. A fire pit, café lights, and fall décor are a wonderful way to transition your backyard into the fall.

12.  Keep Heat From Escaping- You might remember from middle school science class, but heat rises. If your attic isn’t adequately insulated, the heat will go right through the attic and out of your home. Keep the warmth where it belongs and don’t blow extra money on energy bills. Attic insulation isn’t a huge investment, but it can mean huge savings over the years. 

Now is the best time to tackle these jobs. Don’t wait until the weather is cold to prepare. Start working toward cold weather prep to keep your home more energy efficient, warmer, and safer this season. We hope these tips make the process easy and doable. 

Photo by Scott Webb via Pexels.com.