Five Active Ways to Prepare Your Home for Fall

Photo credit: Alena Ozerova / shutterstock.com

With beautiful sunny skies and optimal outdoor weather, preparing your home for the upcoming fall and winter months may be far from your mind. However, warmer temperatures present great opportunities to winterize your home and take proper measures to prepare for upcoming colder months. Taking the most out of this opportunity is crucial.
Here are some guidelines you should follow;

1. Check and maintain your home HVAC system
   Your furnace has more than likely been sitting unused during the warmer months of the year. Summer is the perfect time to schedule a maintenance check-up. Waiting until the last moment (and colder weather) when others are waiting for heat maintenance and repair can result in more associated costs and difficulty scheduling an appointment. A professional will check several items to ensure that your system is in top shape and ready to work for the coming months ahead.
2. Inspect Your Roof
   Fall and winter months mean an increase in rain and snow. Weaknesses in your roofing may lead to costly damages if they are unable to handle the most extreme temperature. Loose shingles may not be able to withstand the added weight of water or snow and can result in impending disaster. Protect yourself and your investment by checking your roof for any visible damage. If you suspect that there might be more serious damage at-hand, call a professional.
3. Doors and Windows
   To prepare for the colder months, set aside some time to check your doors and windows for damage as well as drafts. Caulking and insulating your windows and doors helps to protect your home better and to drive those energy bills down. You should also take advantage to wash and clean your windows and doors while it’s warm out to help with lighting in the colder months of the year. Additional light can not only assist the ambient temperatures of your home but also improve your mood in the months where there is less sunshine.
4. Check Your Gutters
   Fall leaves and rain equal a messy recipe for winter disaster. It is paramount to check that your gutters are dust free and are functioning properly during the summer is smart preventive maintenance. You’ll also want to test your gutters and make sure the runoff is quite a few ways from your home. You can easily add to your downspout to ensure the water flows a few feet from your foundation walls.
5. Fireplace Maintenance
   In case you use your fireplace during the winter, the summer makes for a splendid time to clean and inspect your fireplace. An improperly working fireplace will not only mean less heat but is a potential safety hazard for your family as well. Following the above-mentioned measures will ensure that you save a lot of money which would have been spent in the falls repairs and maintenance. You and your family will also be set for the chilly weather once it appears. To top it up, your home will be attractive and more appealing. All these tips will help you avoid further damage in the future.

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