Fall is right up the corner, and it’s best to prepare for the changing of the seasons. This guarantees that you’ll be comfortable once fall arrives, and you won’t need to worry about anything. Since winter, among the harshest seasons, immediately follows, your preparation should extend far beyond this season. Let’s take a look at this maintenance checklist that ensures a cosy fall for you and your family.
Outdoor Checklist
There’s a lot of preparation necessary, especially with your outdoor area. The extreme temperatures can do a number on your yard, so here’s a quick list of what you need to look for and maintain.
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Don’t forget your sprinkler system
If you’re using a sprinkler system for your yard or garden, it’s about time to drain it. Underground sprinkler or irrigation lines can freeze during the winter and end up damaging your pipes or destroying your sprinkler heads. Make sure to turn off the water system at the main valve and shut down any automatic controllers you have. Drain excess water, including the ones that remain in the sprinkler heads. Replace if necessary.
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Close valves for outdoor faucets
You should put away the hose. Just as you need to take care of your sprinkler system, you also need to deal with your garden hoses. Leaving them attached causes water buildup and can affect your plumbing, as the water can potentially freeze and then damage your pipes. Do this early on so the changing of temperature won’t suddenly affect your things.
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Mind the gutters
You might want to install seamless gutters in your property to prevent the buildup of debris. Since an accumulation of leaves can damage your property, cleaning up your gutter or installing a more efficient one is vital. By sorting out your gutter situation right now, you’re also preparing for the winter since snow can significantly damage your roof and gutters.
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Plants can potentially damage your house
Fall is the best season to do some pruning. Keep the branches and tree limbs significantly far from your home, perhaps a distance of three feet or more. This prevents rain or moisture from dripping into your roof and siding and avoids debris or sediment buildup on your roof and gutter.
Indoor Checklist
Of course, your indoors is just as important. Below are some of what you need to check in preparation for both fall and winter.
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Check for air leaks
A heating system can prove quite expensive, so make sure that your house is airtight and doesn’t have any leaks. Look around your property’s exterior and seal any cracks and holes you see. Doors and window frames are susceptible to this, and areas around pipelines and wires are also prone to leaks. It’s essential to prevent moisture from getting inside your house is a simple task that can end up saving you thousands in maintenance costs and utility bills.
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Check your furnace, radiators, etc.
It starts getting cold in the fall, so you might want to look at your heating system to see whether it’s in good shape. You can hire a professional to make sure that it’s prepped for the winter. Doing it early on will save you the hassle and extra cost of getting it fixed during the cold season.
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Prepare your humidifier
Winter air can be cold and dry, making it uncomfortable inside your home. But it also has the added danger of making wooden furniture and items brittle and prone to cracking or even catching fire. Make sure that your humidifying system is working, especially if you’re using a centralized one.
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Clean your dryer vent
Even if it’s fall (or winter), make it a habit to check your dryer vent. The dry air can make lint and other flammable things in the vents more prone to fire, endangering you and your family. It’s among the most common causes of fires, so make sure to develop the habit of cleaning your dryer vent.
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Get an update on your safety features
Take this opportunity to go over your safety monitoring system as well. Go over your fire alarms, smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, and more. Since you’re most likely staying home through the fall and winter, it’s necessary to check whether your alarms are up and working or whether you need to change their batters or have a new one.
It’s Best to Prepare Early for Winter
Think of fall preparation as a two-in-one job. You’re preparing for fall and winter. Before extreme weather and temperatures even arrive, it’s best to be prepared so that you and your family can live safely and comfortably.
