After getting your home summer-ready and doing a good bit of spring cleaning, it’s now time to start prepping your home for fall. “Well, what’s the difference?” you ask, “Doesn’t it just mean deep cleaning my house from the inside and out again?” Not really, though you should do that anyway to maintain your home’s cleanliness and homey atmosphere.
Most of the things you do to prep your home for fall are meant to get your home ready for the colder months ahead. Some are also meant to prevent common seasonal problems/issues like rising heat in the summer or sudden onset of allergies in spring and more. Here are 5 fall prep tips to get your home ready for this season.
#1 Clean your gutters
Falling autumn leaves pose a problem during the fall and winter seasons because they clog up the gutters and the drains which can mess up the drainage system of your home. This is why it’s important to clean them and make sure the whole drainage system is free-flowing. After cleaning your gutters, cover them up with mesh guards to keep debris out and prevent future blockage.
#2 Weatherstrip it
Weatherstripping ensures that no cold air enters your warm home. It’ll make your heating system work more efficiently and it’ll save you money in the long run as well. If you’ve been weatherstripping your home regularly, make sure to inspect it as it can deteriorate over time and you’re going to have to replace it every now and then. An easy way to tell if your doors and windows are due for new weatherstripping is to try and slide a piece of paper through. If the paper slides through easily, then you need to weatherstrip your doors/windows again. In addition to this, you’re going to want to check the caulking around doors and windows too. Missing or damaged caulks also need to be fixed/replaced to seal your home better and get it ready for fall.
#3 Check your roof
Fall tends to be generally dry in Atlanta but that doesn’t mean you should skip on checking your roof. As fall comes in and the temperatures start to drop, creatures often found in the wild will also start to look for shelter to keep themselves warm and there’s no better place for that than your roof. These small creatures will weasel their way into the smallest holes. If there are no holes, they’ll easily bite and chew through your roof to make an opening and let themselves in. This is why it’s important to check your roof and keep those small critters out. Another thing to look for when checking your roof is mold damage. The previous months have been wet the small leaks you neglected can cause wood rot and molds. When left unsolved, these issues can grow bigger and can cause you more time and money in the future.
#4 Check your heating equipment
Before the weather gets too cold, you’re going to want to have your heating equipment checked to make sure everything is working properly. Gas heaters need to be checked for leaks so that they don’t spew toxic gases throughout your home. Electric heaters also need to be checked to make sure that they’re safe for use and won’t cause a fire in your home when it’s continuously in use. If you have the budget for it, have a professional check your heating equipment. Otherwise, you can re-read the manual and see the manufacturer’s advice about maintenance.
#5 Trim trees around your property
Look for dead wood or branches that are loosely hanging from the trees around your home. These can swing and crash into your home when the winds start to blow hard during fall so it’s better to chop them off now, even if your home insurance covers these types of incidents.
Keep your home cozy and safe this fall by doing these simple fall preparations. Not only will this help keep your home nice and warm but they can also save you from going through the hassle and spending money on repairs later.