As the curtains close on summer, falls comes into the spotlight, and winter prepares backstage for its performance. Old Man Winter can put on a powerful performance, so what can you do to ensure that you're ready for whatever he throws at you? Many homeowners wisely take advantage of the temperate fall season to finish up home projects and winter-proof their homes and possessions.
First off, any outdoor features that won't be getting any use during winter should be covered up, especially anything with water-based features like pools or bird baths. After a good cleaning, they should be covered by protective tarp. Patio furniture often comes with protective coverings as well, and it would likely be a good idea to apply them.
Hugely is important is gutter and roof maintenance. Many unfortunate families deal with roof cave-ins due to heavy snow fall, so it might be good to get it inspected while the weather is mild. If your gutters and spouts are blocked or damaged, snow and rain can wreak havoc on your roof, so be sure to inspect and clean everything, preferably after the leaves have fallen.
Cold weather means no need for air conditioning, obviously, so you can go ahead and take that out of the window. If you have a ventilation or heating system built-in to the home itself, make sure the filters are replaced (this should be done regularly). On the subject of filters, the lint trap in the dryer should be replaced, or at least, thoroughly cleaned. This will keep your clothes a little cleaner and make for less risk of fire in when there's less moisture in the air. To keep the temperature regulated, make sure the doors and windows seal properly so no cold or warm air is slipping through the gaps.
With plant life going dormant for the winter, you won't need your landscaping tools, such as mowers, so you'll want to stow those away. To ensure that they're ready to go by the time spring comes around, a good cleaning and tune-up won't go amiss, and it's just one more chore you don't have to do in spring.
Since you don't want to spend winter shivering or worse, bundled up in a Snuggie, you'll want to make sure your fireplace and heating systems are up to snuff. And a properly-working water heater will ensure that you can take all the warm showers and baths you desire. When you've got all of your chores done by the time winter comes around, you can enjoy (or at least be ready for) the brisk weather and snow.
First off, any outdoor features that won't be getting any use during winter should be covered up, especially anything with water-based features like pools or bird baths. After a good cleaning, they should be covered by protective tarp. Patio furniture often comes with protective coverings as well, and it would likely be a good idea to apply them.
Hugely is important is gutter and roof maintenance. Many unfortunate families deal with roof cave-ins due to heavy snow fall, so it might be good to get it inspected while the weather is mild. If your gutters and spouts are blocked or damaged, snow and rain can wreak havoc on your roof, so be sure to inspect and clean everything, preferably after the leaves have fallen.
Cold weather means no need for air conditioning, obviously, so you can go ahead and take that out of the window. If you have a ventilation or heating system built-in to the home itself, make sure the filters are replaced (this should be done regularly). On the subject of filters, the lint trap in the dryer should be replaced, or at least, thoroughly cleaned. This will keep your clothes a little cleaner and make for less risk of fire in when there's less moisture in the air. To keep the temperature regulated, make sure the doors and windows seal properly so no cold or warm air is slipping through the gaps.
With plant life going dormant for the winter, you won't need your landscaping tools, such as mowers, so you'll want to stow those away. To ensure that they're ready to go by the time spring comes around, a good cleaning and tune-up won't go amiss, and it's just one more chore you don't have to do in spring.
Since you don't want to spend winter shivering or worse, bundled up in a Snuggie, you'll want to make sure your fireplace and heating systems are up to snuff. And a properly-working water heater will ensure that you can take all the warm showers and baths you desire. When you've got all of your chores done by the time winter comes around, you can enjoy (or at least be ready for) the brisk weather and snow.
About the Author:
@home Builders is known for building quality new homes in Rochester NY, where the weather is mild and fall projects go smoothly. Visit AtHomeBuilders.com for more information.