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As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it is time to prepare your home for winter. From cleaning gutters to fireplace safety, seasonal home maintenance is a must in our area. Here are six tips to make sure your home is ready.
Winterize Your Garden
Now is the perfect time to prune, clear out garden beds, fertilize, and reseed. Fallen leaves actually make great mulch for raised beds, or garden plots. This is also the optimal time to plant bulbs for spring flowers such as tulips and daffodils. While you are putting your garden to rest for the season, don’t forget to put away hoses and add hose bib insulators to faucets to protect from freezing.
Check Walkways and Outdoor Lighting
If you have an attached garage, you may not travel the path to your front door frequently. Consider your guests or delivery drivers and the path they take to access your front door. Especially because 4 PM sunsets do happen in our latitude. Test to be sure your outdoor lighting is working, and that you don’t have trip hazards or cracks in pavers.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Although we had a dry October, leaves are falling, and the rainy season is on its way. Without regular maintenance, your home’s gutters can get so clogged they can cause damage and leaks. You definitely don’t want to put off this seasonal task. First, clear out all debris including leaves and pine needles, and then test them by flushing them out with the hose. Additionally, make sure the downspouts drain away from the house or into your street. You never want any water to pool back towards your home’s foundation.
Prepare Your Fireplace or Wood Stove
When it’s time to cozy up to your fireplace, you definitely don’t want to be dealing with cracks and soot. They can become fire hazards. So take time to check and clean your chimney – call a professional if you’re unsure. This is also a great time to stock up on firewood, pellets, or other fuel sources.
Test Smoke Detectors & Fire Safety Equipment
No one wants to deal with a chirping smoke detector in the middle of the night. A good rule of thumb is to change batteries in all detectors in your home the same time you change your clocks for daylight savings. If you haven’t done this already, it is the perfect time to get back on track. This also includes carbon monoxide detectors as well. With the increased use of fire places, wood stoves, and heaters, you’ll also want to check your fire extinguisher.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance & Check Vents
Late Fall is a great time to schedule regular annual HVAC maintenance. If you are not due for a tune up, don’t forget to check and replace your air filter. These should be changed every three to six months (timing depends on their thickness). If anything seems off, call a local HVAC professional.
This is also a great time to check your dryer vent. An often overlooked maintenance item, too much lint can be a fire hazard – make sure to check the exterior as well, clearing lint and debris.
After performing these seasonal home maintenance tasks, maybe you’re feeling inspired to do more yard projects. Check out our Q&A with Bainbridge Gardens about utilizing native plants in your landscaping.
