We believe that autumn is an ideal season to tackle big home repair projects before the snow, ice and harsh winter hits. Fall is also a great time to boost energy saving and efficiency throughout the home as well as preventing winter tree damage from those frigid blizzards. Have a look at ___ tips for fall maintenance that you can use in your [Zeina] Home!
- Rake your lawn’s leaves. Sure the changing coloured leaves may look beautiful blanketing the ground, but having too much on your lawn during the course of winter in a snowy area can inhibit spring growth. To ease the strenuous job, choosing a lighter rake, wearing protective gloves and bagging leaves earlier on and more frequently.
- Clean gutters. Once we are nearer the end of autumn and you have noticed most of the leaves have fallen and trees are bare, clean out gutters and downspouts (hire a helper if you are not comfortable on a ladder). Clogged gutters during rainstorms can cause water to collect and damage your siding and/or roof (which can be very costly to repair in the future).
- Care for your shrubs and trees. If you have any shrubs or trees on your property, consider hiring an arborist to care for them as these experts can prevent tree loss. If know how to prune properly yourself, do so to avoid falling limbs in winter storms.
- Seal gaps where any pests and critters could enter. Mice and other vermin only need a small gap to be able to sneak into your home. With a harsh winter ahead, little creatures will also be seeking warmth. Fill all small openings and cover larger gaps with heavy-duty hardware cloths or other mechanism you see fit to keep your home critter-free.
- Make any exterior repairs. Take a look around your home property, checking for any signs of damage to your roof, siding and foundation. If you do happen to notice anything that needs repair, schedule it before winter weather hits.
- Stock up on winter supplies. Inspect the condition of your snow shovels and ice scrapers; replace as needed. Pick up a bag of ice melt, if needed. Restock emergency kits for your home and car(s). If you use a snow blower, purchase any needed fuel.
- Shut off exterior faucets and store hoses. Ensure your pipes are secured from freezing by shutting off exterior faucet water before the weather hits below 0 degrees. Drain all hoses and store them indoors, best in a shed or garage.
- Add weatherstripping. If you are unsure what the benefit of weatherstripping can do, when it is applied around the frames of windows and doors it can help boost winter warmth and cut energy costs. Add any necessary door sweeps to the base of drafty exterior doors to keep heat in and cold air out.
- Remove window A/C units. If you do not have central air and use window air conditioning units in the hot summer months, remove them before the weather turns cold. Store these units in your shed, garage or any place you see fit for accessible storage when summer comes back around.
- Schedule a chimney cleaning (if applicable) and heating system maintenance. Ensure that your chimney, furnace or boiler are in working order and cleaned before you crank up the heat. This is used as a safety precaution! Make sure you add a chimney cap if you do have a chimney. This will also make sure critters cannot make their way into your home. (Don’t worry, Santa will figure out how to get in).
