WINTER IS COMING! Prepare Your Home with These Fall Tasks.

That’s right. Summer may just have made it’s graceful exit from SWO but for homeowners it’s time to be proactive… winter IS coming.

Take advantage of the mild days to be prepared this year, so your home is ready for the upcoming horrors of snow, ice and wind.

Inside you want to make sure your windows are in good shape, they all close properly and any leaks are addressed. Check for drafts around exterior doors and install draft stoppers where possible.

Test your furnace. If you have a problem- better to get it addressed now than the first COLD day of the year when HVAC companies will be notoriously busy. Change your filter if you haven’t done so already and vacuum out anything you can to keep it clean and fresh.

Flip the switch on your ceiling fans so they will change direction- bringing warm air down instead of pulling it up.

Outside you should caulk any cracks, around windows and door frames to prevent heat loss.

If there are any holes around wires, pipes, vents etc… plug them with steel wool and caulk to keep critters out (who are looking for a warm home right about now) the steel wool will prevent/slow down the attempt to chew through the caulking. You’re welcome for that terrifying mental image.

If you have any painted wood on the exterior of your home, this is a good time for a fresh coat to protect the wood from the winter elements. Make sure you are using a high quality exterior paint to protect the wood.

If you plan on using a wood burning fireplace over the winter months- get a certified WETT inspector to check out your fireplace and chimney. While you are at it- take a look at your roof and make sure there are no damaged or missing shingles.

If your house is anything like mine with any trees in proximity- you’ll want to clear your gutters once the leaves fall. If you are quick you could get some gutter guards up before the bulk of the leaves fall saving you the trouble for years to come. Check your gutters for leaks and damage to prevent ice dams and scary icicles from

forming over the winter.

If you have a hot tub- now is the time for the seasonal drain/refill. You can get a company out to make sure everything is in working order. NOTHING beats the hot tub during the frosty nights of late fall/early winter so get on top of this now while the weather allows. If you have a pool, check your cover and make sure everything is properly secured and stored.

Do a once over of your yard and make sure everything is stored, and you won’t be hunting for a shovel under 1 foot of snow that catches us by surprise.

Put hoses away and turn off the water source from inside.

Put patio furniture away if you have somewhere to store it to keep it looking nicer, or stack it up and cover with a tarp.

If you have any questions or if there is anything I missed- don't be shy: comment or message me.