Tuesday, October 3, 2017

7 Ways To Prepare Your Home For Fall

The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter as fall is quickly approaching. Now is the time to complete any late summer maintenance projects and prepare your home for fall. Follow our easy steps to properly prepare your home for the colder days ahead in New England.

1. Turn off Outdoor Plumbing Systems

Outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems should be properly drained and covered, to protect them from freezing temperatures approaching.

2. Fix Cracks in Asphalt and Concrete 

Depending on where you live, these may be the last few weeks of the year where the weather will be warm and sunny enough to permit driveway repairs and concrete crack maintenance. This will improve the exterior beauty of your home.

3. Plant Bulbs for Spring-Blooming Flowers 

A beautiful sign of Spring approaching is when tulips and daffodils start vibrantly booming. As soon as the soil has cooled down in October, plant bulbs, and your yard will be blooming in beauty next Spring. Ideally, select a spot to plant bulbs in your yard that the sun fully hits during the day. 

4. Clean Fireplace and Chimneys

Clean out the fireplace and ensure the flue is operating correctly, and that the doors and shield are secure. If necessary, have the chimney professionally swept to ensure complete cleanliness.

5. Complete a Home Safety Check

Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and Carbon Dioxide monitors for safety precaution. Construct a family safety plan, or review the one already set in place. Assemble emergency preparation kits so your family is prepared for winter power outages.

6. Build a Mudroom 

Now is the proper time to assemble and stock an entryway that will serve as a "mudroom" area for freezing and damp weather, even if your home does not include a dedicated mudroom area. Place a durable indoor rug to ensure the floor is properly protected. Consider assembling a shoe rack, coat rack, or a storage bench for your dedicated mudroom area.

7. Properly Insulate Your Home  

As fall approaches, it is important to keep the warm air inside your home and the cold air outside your home. Carefully check your doors and windows for weather stripping. To properly check weather stripping, place a piece of paper in the entryway and shut the door. The paper should be unable to slide back and forth easily. If it does, consider investing in new weather stripping to protect your home from the cold weather approaching. Also, now is the right time to re-caulk around doors and windows as necessary. 

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