7 Tasks to Tend to This Fall

If fall meant just putting out some beautiful mums, adorning your porch with hay bales and gourds, and lighting a pumpkin spice candle, we would be all for it! However, there are a few tasks that need to be completed in the fall before cold weather takes hold. So, for the time being, set down your warm cider and your book, and head on outside to ensure you are ready to tackle the upcoming winter months. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!

✅ Clean the gutters & check the roof

Sounds fun, huh? We get it. It’s not what everyone looks forward to, but it is a very important item on your fall-is-here task list. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone, be sure to clean out the gutters, removing any leaves or debris. Doing this now can prevent big issues later on. You need to create a clear path for any rain so that it doesn’t back up, causing potential damage to your siding, your windows, your foundation, etc. If things are in bad shape, consider replacing the guttering before you have bigger problems to tend to in the future.

While you’re up there, also check out your roof for any damage, including your shingles or vents. If you need anything replaced, now is the time to get some help before frigid temps and potential snow or ice.

✅ Clear out your outdoor fun

It’s hard to believe that summer is officially over, but it’s softened by the beauty of fall, from the color changes to the amazing smells. It’s important to take care of any leftover summer fun items, such as pools, water slides, sandboxes, trampolines, outside furniture, or maybe even just the toys that tend to pile up over time. Cleaning up and storing some of your summer items will help with their longevity.

Read about how to properly store some of your summer items on a recent blog post we shared here.

✅ Add some light

Sometimes colder months can become dreary. In order to keep your home light and cheery, start simple – clean your windows and blinds. Consider pulling back your curtains to let the light shine in on you and your family. Natural lighting is good for you both physically and mentally!

You might even consider adding some new lighting, such as lamps, to give a little extra glow. Do some research on the types of bulbs you would like to incorporate.

✅ Safety first

With fireplace and heater season approaching quickly, now is the time to take care of a few home safety items. Do a check of your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Make sure they still work, whether you need to replace the batteries or buy new units.

This is also a good time to talk to your family about what to do in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or power outage. Having a plan in place and going over it multiple times will help in case something bad were to happen. If there is an ice storm and the electricity goes out, have a kit of essentials, including a flashlight, a radio if possible, water, nonperishable food, etc. While we don’t even want to think about these things, it’s worse to be unprepared.

✅ Check your heat sources

Checking your heat sources is vital to do before the cold hits us. It’s not always something we think about until there is a problem, but waiting can be both dangerous and costly. Consider hiring a professional to clean out your fireplace, check the flue, and inspect your chimney for any cracks or damage. Be sure to call quickly to get on a schedule, though! And, if you have a wood fireplace, don’t forget to start saving up some wood to burn.

If you have other forms of heat, check out your filters to ensure they are up-to-date. If you need to have your furnace checked over, this is another task you may want to get on someone’s schedule to do sooner rather than later. And one last thing! If using heaters, please make sure you are doing so safely. Do some research on the best and safest types of heaters to use.

✅ Address outdoor plumbing

In the event of a deep freeze, make sure your pipes are well-insulated to prevent bursting. If they do, though, it’s helpful for you to know where the shut-off valve is located so that you can address it quickly.

If you have outdoor sprinkler systems or faucets, let them drain completely. You might consider covering them to help insulate and protect them a little more during the really cold stretches. If you have a water hose, get it drained, too, or you will be purchasing a new one in spring.

✅ Keep the warm air inside

Now is a great time to start inspecting your doors and windows. If you are feeling cool air invading your nice, warm home, you may need to do some repair work. You can help this by installing weather stripping around doors and windows to block the flow of cool air, which will also help keep your heating bills at bay. You might need to add some caulking to help seal up those spaces.

Once you tackle some of these tasks, you can get back to enjoying your nice, cozy home before the days get short and the cold gets harsh. If you want to hear more tips on how to prep for fall and winter, check out our other posts:

• End-of-Summer To-Do List
• 6 Fall Lawn Care Tips
• Getting Control of Your Garage

As always, if you would like any help from one of our trusted realtors, or if you would like to see what home options are on the market, click here to get in touch with us. Happy fall, everyone!