Summer never seems to last long enough and, before you know it, it's fall already. Ideally, you have been able to have some good experiences under the shining summer sun, but fall is here now, and winter is not far behind. You can take advantage of the fall season to make sure Old Man Winter doesn't catch you off guard.
One of the obvious things that should be done before things start freezing is to make sure that any outdoor structure with water is taken care of. This includes things like bird baths and, of course, swimming pools. If possible, clean and empty them and then put a protective cover on top. You can also check the level of insulation on the pipes. If the pipes that carry warm water are warm to the touch, they could stand to be insulated more. You can buy pipe insulation at most hardware stores. Not only will this preserve the water's heat on its way to the faucet or shower, it will make them less vulnerable to freezing.
In the majority of inland states, winter brings loads of snow. If you gutter is not draining properly, this can be very bad news for your roof. After the leaves fall and before the snow comes, it's a good idea to get a ladder and take a look at the gutters. You will want to clear away any blockage, making sure the rain and melted snow will have a way to run off.
If you stay cool during the summer with an air conditioner in the window, you will probably not have any use for it when the temperature drops. You can take it down, maintain it and then store it somewhere until it heats up. Houses with central air systems should have their filters replaced regularly. Most types of furnace filters should be replaced monthly.
Drafty windows and doors are fun for no one. You can check the seals to make sure you're not needlessly losing warm air. You can use the classic "draft snake" to plug up areas that where heat is escaping. Just roll up a towel or blanket and place it in the crack.
Your lawn will enter a state where it stops growing during the colder months, so you won't need to worry too much about lawn maintenance during this time, save for the final chore of raking up and removing the leaves once they have all fallen. Before you put your mower and other tools away in a protected area, clean and look over them for maintenance issues, making sure they'll be good to go when spring comes.
Yard furniture should be cleaned and protected for the winter. Depending on the brand and materials, this might mean putting them in the garage or simply covering them. The water heater and fireplace will be seeing more use now as well, so be sure that they are in good working condition.
Fall can be a perfect time to take care of what needs to be done before winter.. You never want to wait until the last minute to make sure you're ready for winter. If the snow comes early, you could be caught off guard, and be forced to deal with bigger problems in a cold and wet environment. How much better it is to get things done when the weather is mild.
One of the obvious things that should be done before things start freezing is to make sure that any outdoor structure with water is taken care of. This includes things like bird baths and, of course, swimming pools. If possible, clean and empty them and then put a protective cover on top. You can also check the level of insulation on the pipes. If the pipes that carry warm water are warm to the touch, they could stand to be insulated more. You can buy pipe insulation at most hardware stores. Not only will this preserve the water's heat on its way to the faucet or shower, it will make them less vulnerable to freezing.
In the majority of inland states, winter brings loads of snow. If you gutter is not draining properly, this can be very bad news for your roof. After the leaves fall and before the snow comes, it's a good idea to get a ladder and take a look at the gutters. You will want to clear away any blockage, making sure the rain and melted snow will have a way to run off.
If you stay cool during the summer with an air conditioner in the window, you will probably not have any use for it when the temperature drops. You can take it down, maintain it and then store it somewhere until it heats up. Houses with central air systems should have their filters replaced regularly. Most types of furnace filters should be replaced monthly.
Drafty windows and doors are fun for no one. You can check the seals to make sure you're not needlessly losing warm air. You can use the classic "draft snake" to plug up areas that where heat is escaping. Just roll up a towel or blanket and place it in the crack.
Your lawn will enter a state where it stops growing during the colder months, so you won't need to worry too much about lawn maintenance during this time, save for the final chore of raking up and removing the leaves once they have all fallen. Before you put your mower and other tools away in a protected area, clean and look over them for maintenance issues, making sure they'll be good to go when spring comes.
Yard furniture should be cleaned and protected for the winter. Depending on the brand and materials, this might mean putting them in the garage or simply covering them. The water heater and fireplace will be seeing more use now as well, so be sure that they are in good working condition.
Fall can be a perfect time to take care of what needs to be done before winter.. You never want to wait until the last minute to make sure you're ready for winter. If the snow comes early, you could be caught off guard, and be forced to deal with bigger problems in a cold and wet environment. How much better it is to get things done when the weather is mild.
About the Author:
People who love their houses put forth much of time and effort to keep them well-maintained. And it can be a big motivating factor if you own the home of your dreams. SeaPac Homes constructs new homes in Washington. search no further for your dream home!