With the arrival of fall comes a long list of things you can do to help your home be ready for the colder weather. Many of these items are quick to take care of, and can help your home be safer and more prepared for the months ahead.
With leaves starting to fall, make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear and able to flow properly. With the rain that fall can bring, followed by the ice and snow of winter, preventing backed-up gutters will help better keep the moisture away from your home, and from ice dams forming in the winter.
Leaves can be a great benefit for your lawn, but only if handled properly. Instead of removing all the leaves from your lawn, rake them into a thin layer and mulch them using your lawnmower. These mulched leaves can feed your lawn, but if whole leaves are left on top of it, it can block your lawn from receiving moisture and nutrients.
You want to make sure your heating system will be ready for winter, and it’s best to find out if there are any issues with it before the cold weather shows up. Whether you experienced issues with your system last year, or it hasn’t been inspected recently and you just want to be sure it will be ready when you need it, a professional furnace inspection is a good idea.
Drafty windows often lead to higher heating bills in the winter months as they don’t hold the hot air in nearly as well as they should. Sealing the spaces around windows can help you save energy while heating your home as fall gets colder and we transition into winter.
If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, you will want to make sure the water is drained out of it before the winter, or else it could freeze and damage the heads or lines. With the professional equipment required to do this, and to ensure it’s done correctly, you may want to contact a local irrigation company to help close your sprinkler system for the winter.
This is a simple way to help better distribute the heat in your home. Change any ceiling fans to turn clockwise at a low speed - this pulls cooler air up, forcing the warmer air down to better heat the room.
These are just a few of the ways you can better prepare your home for fall and winter. Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home and want to make sure it’s at its best for potential buyers, or you just want to make sure your home is as comfortable and safe as it can be, these tips can help you take better care of your home as the weather changes.
If you’re considering buying or selling a home this fall and need expert advice to help you achieve your real estate goals, contact Beaumont and Associates today! Fall can still be a great time of year to make your next real estate move, and we’re here to help with the experience and guidance you need.
