Tips to Get Your Home And Yard Ready for Fall Weather

Posted on Sep 28, 2022
Tips to Get Your Home And Yard Ready for Fall Weather

It’s time to trade in your summer clothes and iced coffees for cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes, among other things. With cooler weather closing in fast, you’ll want to start thinking about fall weather and how you should prepare your home and yard.

Along with wintry weather looming behind autumn, there is more rain, fall leaves, and less daylight to keep in mind. When it comes to the change of seasons, it’s always a good idea to make some preparations beforehand.

Here are some tips to prepare your home and yard for fall weather.

Check Insulation

Check your windows, doors, and roof to ensure they are adequately insulated. Then repair any doors and windows that need it before the cold weather and snow come. You can use caulk or weather stripping around your windows to insulate them better and keep the heat inside the home during the cold fall and winter.

Also, look at your eaves for any stains. Stained eaves are a sign that you may have a leak in your roof. So, if you find any stains, contact a roofing contractor to make the repairs. If you do not see any stains, ask yourself when the last time your roof was inspected. If it’s been years, it may be a good idea to check it to ensure it’s in good shape for the fall and winter.

Inspect gutters and downspouts

Gutter maintenance is essential during the fall. As leaves and other debris fall off trees, your gutters can get clogged, which can cause several problems — like pest issues and wood rot. Furthermore, you don’t want to wait until the leaves start piling up to clear your gutters and downspouts. Before the leaves start falling, you want to ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear so they can properly drain.

Therefore, check all your gutters and downspouts to make sure they can drain properly. Also, make sure water doesn’t pool on the ground.

Scan the exterior of your home

Along with ensuring your roof is in good shape, check the siding and foundation to ensure everything is in tip-top condition for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Look for holes and cracks in your home. Not only will this prevent heat from escaping and water from getting in, but you don’t want any spots where pests may find their way in once it starts getting cold.

Check your fireplace and chimney

If you have a fireplace, you’ll probably want to use it once the cool weather is here. But you want to make sure your fireplace and chimney are in good shape before you start a fire. First, make sure the flue is working and is free of any debris. Try peering up through the flu during the day and see if you can make out any sunlight. It may be worth it to get your chimney inspected and cleaned, which many experts recommend doing once per year.

Perform HVAC maintenance

The last thing you want in the fall or winter is to have your HVAC system break down. Schedule an appointment now to get it checked. If your HVAC has a built-in humidifier, ask the HVAC technician to replace the filter while they are at it.

Conduct tree maintenance

Look around at the trees on your property and check for any dead branches near your home. If they are low hanging, you can cut them back yourself. However, calling a tree care professional is a better idea.

Perform lawn aeration

If you didn’t aerate your lawn in the late summer, you should do it in the early fall. Over time, the soil in your lawn gets compacted, which prevents your grass from getting the water and nutrients it needs to thrive. Lawn aeration helps to restore your property before the cold weather is in full swing.

Rake leaves

As leaves begin to fall, stay on top of the raking. Also, do not leave the leaf piles around your yard. This can cause the leaves to blow around; if snow hits before you move them, they could be there for the rest of winter. Instead, bag them up as soon as you can. If you want to be extra environmentally conscious, dispose of them in your yard in a compost pile or save them for the spring and use them as eco-friendly mulch for your garden.

Cut back your garden

While many landscapers recommend cutting back your garden in the fall, consider doing this in the spring instead. Dead branches, stalks, and sticks provide homes for bugs and other small critters during the winter, many of which can be beneficial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem in your yard. 

Consider outdoor lighting

Outdoor lighting is essential as the daylight wanes. You want to be able to safely travel in and out of your house once the sun is down. Plus, outdoor lighting reduces your risk of being burglarized. Consider installing outdoor energy-efficient or solar-powered bulbs to light up your walkways when you need them.

Perform checks of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors 

When fall and winter come, your windows will likely be shut for the season. This means that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are even more essential than before. Replace the batteries in all of your detectors and test them to make sure they are working correctly.

Clean up your garage and shed

Clean up your garage and shed for the season by tidying up and checking on any liquids. You should make sure that you’re not leaving anything that can freeze in the cold, along with any hazardous or flammable chemicals.

Check brakes and tires

Lastly, you want to make sure your car is ready for fall and winter weather too. Check your brakes and tires to ensure you’ll be driving safely as roads get worse with colder weather.

Takeaway

Preparing for fall weather by getting your home and yard ready is crucial to preventing problems down the road. Taking these steps can save you both frustration and money later.

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