5 projects to prep your home for cooler weather

September 30, 2020

Clean your gutters

Keeping your gutters clear is an important part of maintaining your home and preventing both interior and exterior water damage. Removing leaves and debris from your gutters will help protect your roof, reduce your risk of a cracked foundation in the winter months, and prevent pests from occupying your gutters and causing more issues down the road. Depending on where you live, and the density of trees and foliage that falls on your property, you may have to clean your gutters more than once before winter. It’s always a good idea to clean your gutters one final time after all the leaves have dropped.

Check your fireplace

A fireplace is more than just the focal point, it’s a great way to heat up a room and add some ambience in the cooler months! If you live in New England or other northern states, you know that fireplace season lasts longer than in other parts of the country. So you’ll want to make sure it’s in prime shape to be active until spring. Cleaning your chimney is important to avoiding chimney fires, so schedule a cleaning before you start using your fireplace this fall.

Fall & winter tools

As colder weather approaches, outdoor work becomes less desirable for most people. Organizing outdoor tools such as rakes & shovels, and keeping them easily accessible will make your outdoor tasks quicker. If you utilize a snowblower in the winter, now is a good time to make sure it doesn’t require any maintenance from the previous season. It’s best to have it in working shape before you need it-especially in the case of an early or unexpected snowstorm.

Store outdoor furniture

Patio & outdoor furniture is a fantastic way to make the most of the beautiful summer weather. But storing it away properly for the winter will allow you to enjoy it effortlessly next season. Although most outdoor furniture is weather resistant, it will not fare well in the winter elements. The best way to prolong the life of your furniture is to store it in a clean, dry place that will help prevent rust, mold, and pest damage.

Locate & fix drafts

Often drafts can go unnoticed, and by the time they are resolved they’ve already impacted energy bills. Getting ahead of potential energy drains such as drafts can help you save some significant change on heating costs. A drafty house will get expensive quickly. Be sure to inspect your home for space under doors, windows, and other vulnerable areas. Heavy curtains can help with poorly insulated windows and a draft stopper that slides easily under doors are some easy and inexpensive ways to address drafts.

Prepping for colder weather doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, in fact it often saves you quite a bit of money and time down the road. It also makes the adjustment from winter to spring far easier, with a lot less clean up and repairs from the winter months.

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