Soon the warmth of summer will transition to the warm colors of fall, along with the upcoming cooler weather.
There are preparations you can take to ensure your home, yard and family come through to the next season with flying colors. We all know what an investment our homes are, and even if you rent, its best to take some proactive actions to ensure comfort, safety and efficiency as the seasons change.
Furnace Maintenance
Having an HVAC specialist come and inspect your furnace before Fall can help homeowners find issues before they become a seasonal emergency. Receiving regular maintenance helps extend the life-span of your furnace and most companies offer warranties as well. Take the time to change your filters too, you’ll be surprised how much this helps! So before the chilly months move in, make sure your furnace is in the best shape possible.
Gutters
It’s easy to forget how big of a role your gutters play in keeping your home protected but keeping them clear is pivotal. After summer, most gutters become full of leaves and remnants from storms. Homeowners can clear and clean the gutters themselves or hire companies that are insured to do it for them–but don’t skip out on this maintenance!
Outdoor Plumbing
Shutting off all outdoor water spigots and removing garden hoses can help avoid plumbing issues that can affect the interior and exterior of your home. This also includes draining your hoses! In some areas, it may even be recommended to cover your water spigots with an insulated faucet cover as well as insulation tubing. Using this insulation will help protect and prevent the water from expanding and possibly rupturing the pipe.
Insulate Windows and Doors
Use weather stripping or caulking to seal any drafts around windows and doors. Consider adding or replacing weather stripping to maintain warmth inside and reduce heating costs.
Inspect Roof and Chimney
Look for any signs of damage on your roof and chimney. Repair loose shingles or flashing to prevent leaks, if this feels beyond your level of comfort, call an expert for a quick inspection. If you use your
fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected, to ensure safe burning next season! Outdoor Maintenance
Store or cover outdoor furniture, clean and store garden tools, and drain and store garden hoses. Trim trees and bushes away from the house to prevent damage during storms. Rake leaves regularly to prevent them from piling up and becoming a hazard. Consider mulching leaves rather than raking them away, which can provide nutrients to your lawn.
Prepping your home for Fall can take some time, so be sure to make a plan so you’re prepared. You can even make this a family project, get the children involved. Such as, a family yard clean up day, complete with some warm apple cider and some donuts. Have the children rake the leaves and make an Autumn craft to display in your home.
Enjoy your home, and take care of it – and it will take care of you!
Sponsor
MilHousing Network is a proud partner of Leah Fernandez, principal agent of the Properties by Leah Team @ Compass. Serving the greater D.C. area, they have given back over $135,000 to the local community, seeking to make a difference in the communities they serve one home at a time. Leah and her team are honored to support the Active Duty and Veteran communities, and are humbled to provide an unmatched level of service, lending to a seamless home buying and selling process.
Article sponsored by the Properties by Leah Team @ Compass
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About The Author
Brittany has been a PCS Mentor with Milhousing Network for over 2 years, and loves being able to help other military families! Her husband is active duty in the Army, and their family recently purchased their first home in Maryland. Their first duty station was in San Antonio, and she loves the city!