It’s officially autumn and our weather is starting to change. Cooler temperatures have started, along with a few leaves beginning to fall. While the weather is still nice, you may want to take advantage and begin preparing your home for cooler weather.
Clean Out Your Chimney or Wood Stove
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, it is important to clean out your chimney every year. Birds often will build nests in dormant chimneys (in the summer) which could become a fire hazard in your home. Before you fire up your fireplace for the winter, consider having it cleaned out to give yourself some extra peace of mind.
Remove Leaves and Debris from Gutters and Install Gutter Guards
While leaves will begin falling rapidly over the coming months, now is a great time to ensure your gutters are clear from all leaves and debris before more get piled on top of them. Once your gutters are cleaned out, you might consider installing gutter guards to help keep any new debris from clogging your gutters. The last thing you’ll want is to climb on your roof to clear a clogged gutter when temperatures are below freezing.
Cover or Store Patio Furniture or Yard Decorations
While we have a few weeks left of nice weather, it might be a good time to start thinking of storing your patio furniture to keep it safe from the winter’s elements. Stacking chairs, tables, and any yard decorations that you may have out into a garage or shed will help keep them safe from the rain, snow and sleet that we may encounter this winter.
Clean Windows and Window Tracks and Repair or Replace Weatherstripping
While the temperatures are still mild, now is a great time to open your windows to clean the outsides, along with cleaning the tracks of your windows. Also keep in mind that you may want to clean your sliding exterior doors and tracks, too! Inspect your weatherstripping for any that may need to be replaced to help keep the cool air out and the warm air in.
Clean Up Garden Beds
Now is a great time to clean up your garden beds and remove any weeds that have come in. Additionally, trimming back shrubs and removing any plants that have died that will not come back on their own next year is a great way to get ahead of the game for next year’s garden.
