As we prepare to return to school, the end of summer is near, and fall is right around the corner. While the warmer temperatures might stick around for a while, it’s time to start preparing your home for the fall season.
Here are 5 home maintenance tips to prepare your home for fall!
Clean Your Fireplace & Chimney
With cooler weather coming, you’ll want to start using your fireplace soon, making now the perfect time to clean it. Most chimney sweeps recommend cleaning your chimney once a year, but depending on how often you use it, you might not have to do a full sweep. This is also an excellent time to make sure you have firewood available for the chimney if it’s wood-burning.
Maintain Heating System
A properly working HVAC system is crucial to keeping your home warm during the cooler months. Ensure your furnace is maintained and filters are free of dirt and debris. This will ensure your system is working correctly and save you money on energy bills.
Seal Air Leaks
If your home isn’t sealed correctly, air leaks can cause warm air to exit, wasting energy. Look at doors, windows, trim, siding, and anywhere pipes and wires enter the home to ensure all air leaks are caulked and closed. Not only does this prevent cool air from coming inside, but it also prevents moisture from getting inside walls.
Clean Out Your Gutters
The fall season brings leaves and twigs falling from the trees into your gutters, so make sure to clear them out before fall begins to get a head start. Clogged gutters can cause ice dams when the weather freezes, leading to expensive repairs. This is also a great time to tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets and replace any damaged gutters or downspouts to ensure your gutters are working correctly.
Maintain Your Yard
Before you put your lawnmower and lawn equipment away for the season, there are a few things you should do to prepare for next spring.
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Mow the lawn until the first hard frost and cut it extra short the last time you mow
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Fertilize the lawn to help protect roots from freezing
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Trim bushes and tree branches to help prevent damage
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Rake leaves from the ground to help light and moisture reach the ground
The new season will be here before we know it, so getting a jump start on these home maintenance tips will put you in an excellent position for the fall. If you have questions about fall maintenance tips or anything real estate-related, reach out to us today! We’re always here to help.
Posted by Shane White on
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