It would be amazing if all you needed to prep your home for fall was hang a wreath and light a bunch of pumpkin spice candles. While yes, those are a crucial part of getting ready for the change of seasons, there are some more important preparations that come with being a homeowner. Here are some important reminders you need to know before your house transitions from hot summer days to cool fall nights.
1. Clean, or possibly replace, your gutters. You're so used to your gutters working properly — and draining thousands of gallons of water from your roof yearly — that you forget they could use a little TLC. If they're clogged, you can end up with a flooded interior and damaged exterior.
2. Check for drafts. Heat loss through windows is responsible for 25-30 percent of heating energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But it doesn't have to be that way, because weather-stripping is simple and probably the most cost-effective way to keep heating costs down.
Pro tip: To check if you have a draft issue, close a door or window on a strip of paper. If the paper slides easily, you need to update your weather-stripping.
3. Drain your outdoor faucets. (This one only applies to those properties in areas that experience freezing temperatures). Drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots to prevent any water freezing. Not doing this can result to pipes bursting.
4. Fix any cracks in your driveway. This one seems tedious, and is one of those things where you're like, "eh, it'll be fine!" But, it could very easily not be fine. When water gets into cracks it freezes, expands, and can make the crack even bigger. Enough small cracks can turn into big cracks, and eventually the concrete can crumble. Consider using a concrete crack sealer.
5. Change your filters. Here's another thing in your house that might be costing you more money then it should be. If your filters are clogged, it's harder to keep your home at the temperature you want, which will likely increase your heating bills. Clean these filters monthly, not just before the fall. FYI: Disposable filters can be vacuumed one time before you replace them, and foam filters can just be vacuumed and not replaced.
6. Fertilize your lawn. You know what they say: The best offense is a good defense. If you want to keep your lawn looking great in the spring and summer, you need to prep it for the fall and winter. Roots are still active when the grass isn't growing, so applying fertilizer will prevent winter damage. Doing this will also help your lawn turn green faster in the spring.
7. Change/charge your batteries. Once a year you should be checking to make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices are working.
8. Plant fresh bulbs for next spring. Fall is the ideal time to plant many bulbs ready for the following spring and summer. Many flowers and plants, such as planting tulips, benefit from the colder temperatures to help their germination period. Learning what to plant in September, and what to plant in October can help you prepare your home and garden ideas for beautiful blooms in the summer.
9. Incorporate autumnal colors. Mix subtle yellows, rich oranges and deep red tones with earthy browns – all colors associated with autumn – to create a warming, homely environment. Whether painting a whole room, reupholstering a sofa or adding new accessories, utilizing these colors will instantly bring the autumn indoors.
10. Create a cozy outdoor living space. There's no reason why you have to stay indoors and neglect the outdoors just because it's getting a little chillier outside. In fact, in the Lowcountry we like to use our outdoor spaces all year round. To ensure you can enjoy the great outdoors and all the seasons have to offer, despite the cooler weather, consider creating a cozy lounge area complete with comfortable cushion seating, a fire pit or similar, blankets, and warm lighting.
Incorporate some of these tips to get your fall season off to a great start.
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