As the cooler temperatures begin to flood the Pacific Northwest, we also begin to see little reminders telling us that Fall & Winter are vastly approaching! Even though summer isn’t quite over yet, now is the perfect time to start working around the house (inside & out) to prepare for the cooler seasons. Below are 15 tips to getting your home ready for Fall that are sure to save you from being caught off guard this year!
Inside the Home
- Check for drafts: As the air gets cooler, it’s good to check the seals of your doors & windows to be sure you won’t be letting in any excess cold air this season. Test it out using a candle, if the candle light flickers, it’s probably time to replace seals & caulking.
- Winterize the air conditioning unit: If you use one of these in your home it’s important to put a cover over it for the winter. If you use a window a/c unit be sure to take it out or cover it as well.
- Purchase a programmable thermostat: Purchasing a programmable thermostat could largely impact your fall/winter heating bills. Set it to automatically lower the temperature of the house at night once everyone is asleep and you’re golden.
- Test out home safety devices: Replace the batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices and test to make sure they’re working properly. Better to be safe than sorry!
Outside of the Home
- Check the chimney & fireplace: It’s always good to get your chimney/fireplace looked at by a professional, especially if this is your first time using it your new home.
- Stock up on firewood: Load up the truck with plenty of firewood for the whole season. Make sure to keep it covered and dry. You’ll thank us later.
- Roof check: Just a quick visual check, use binoculars if you need, look for shingles that are missing, broken, or loose.
- Clean gutters: Check for leaks and remove all debris—leaves, nests, etc. Nothing worse than clogged gutters!
- Trim up the landscaping: Cut back all bushes, trees, and plants so that they are healthy and have a nice place to start growing in next season.
- Inspect trees: It’s always good to cut down any branches/limbs that are too close to power lines or the roof—keeping the home nice & safe during the stormy seasons.
- Organize storage: While putting away all your summer furniture and equipment, be sure to do it in an organized fashion so that you’ll be able to easily unload next year without the fuss!
- Turn off faucets & store hoses: Turn off all exterior faucets and store garden hoses so that they don’t freeze. Store hoses in the garage or storage shed so any residual water won’t freeze.
- Plant bulbs & fertilize lawn: Now’s the perfect time to get those dreamy bulbs planted in the ground for spring. Also—applying fall lawn fertilizer will help prevent winter damage and spring weeds. You can do this yourself by asking a garden specialist what type of fertilizer you need or have your local landscaping company assist.
In the garage
- Check the generator: If you have an emergency generator for power outages, now would be a great time to give it a test and make sure it works in case of a storm.
- Get organized: Since you’re already prepping for fall, may as well clean & organize the garage while your in there!
Proper maintenance of the home is one thing we are always telling our buyers about because it truly increases value to take care of your home through the seasons. Not to mention the money you can save by doing the preventative maintenance ahead of time, so when the cooler weather approaches you will be ready!
