Fall is marked a gradual reduction of temperatures, nature’s display of dazzling outdoor colors, lots of kids’ activities on and off recreational fields, harvest fairs, and the like. In short, you have your hands full just keeping up with work and all the extra family activities.
But, take our advice, and don’t get too wrapped in fall activities to take our attention away from you home, which needs some attention now so it’s better prepared for winter, and you’re in better shape to resist wintertime problems.
So, from our family to yours, here are a series of steps you can take to get your home in winter-worthy shape:
Inside the house:
- If you’re planning to give your rooms a little facelift, do so while you can still open the windows to air out paint fumes.
- Vacuum mattresses and under furniture and beds to get rid of dust and dust mites. Wash windows and sills, and vacuum heating and air conditioning vents, as well as behind and under stoves and refrigerators. Once you start closing windows and doors, all that dust could otherwise wreak havoc with your cold and allergy symptoms.
- Dust your light fixtures and switch your ceiling fan to run clockwise (the reverse setting) during the cold weather months. This will allow you to turn your thermostat down a few degrees by pushing warm air down from the ceiling, making you feel more comfortable at the same temperature setting.
- Seal off drafts by caulking or weather stripping around windows and doors.
- Test your fireplace flue to make sure it seals tightly when closed. Call a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney.
Outside the house:
- Do an outdoor property inspection. Look for cracks in the driveway and walkways, as well as your home’s foundation. Take care of dead trees and cut back any tree limbs that are getting close to your roof. And make sure all down spouts are positioned away from your home.
- Inspect cold weather tools and equipment. Test gas powered tools like the leaf and snow blower, and stock up on essentials like de-icer, rock salt, rakes, and shovels.
- Clean and put away seasonal outdoor furniture and toys.
- Prepare your garden for fall by removing weeds and leaf litter, as well as vegetables that have stopped fruiting. Mark and save seeds from heirloom plants in a cool, dry place for next season.
Here’s one more very important step for winter preparedness: contact Anthony’s Plumbing, Heating & Air for our multi-point heating system tune-up and inspection. It’s designed to help your system run better, last longer, and all while reducing your monthly utility costs. Best of all, it works, especially when you remain faithful with annual system maintenance.
How to Prepare Your Winter home, White House Station & Basking Ridge – Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for what lies ahead. Now, learn how.
