Get Your House Ready For Fall

The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting a bit cooler. Now is the time to turn your attention to a few things you can do to get your house ready for the cooler weather.

Besides the obvious jobs of raking leaves and mulching flower beds here’s a checklist of things that will help keep your house cozy in the fall and coming winter:

·       Have the heating system cleaned and checked before you need to turn it on for the first time.

·       If you have a masonry fireplace have it cleaned and have the cap checked to be sure it’s keeping out any unwanted guests. Be sure the flue is operating properly.

·       Check the caulking around doors and windows and replace or repair. Replace any broken or cracked windows too. Be sure to check weather-stripping around doors and replace as needed.

·       Wash the windows and replace or repair any damaged screens.

·       Make a visual inspection (from the ground!) of the roof and, if needed, get a roofer to climb up and check the shingles and also the rubber gaskets around any pipes that vent through the roof.

·       Clean the gutters.

·       Now might not be the time for a complete exterior paint job, depending on where you live, but it’s a great time to touch up some of the spots that might need attention to prevent water intrusion from damaging any exposed wood until you can paint the complete exterior next Spring. If your house has siding, now is the time to replace or repair any broken or missing pieces.

·       Check all porch and deck railings to be sure nothing is loose. This is also a good time to power-wash and re-stain the deck to prevent damage over the winter.

·       Take a stroll around the yard and check the fence for loose or missing boards.

Just a little bit of preventive maintenance will have your house ready for the fall and winter and then, go ahead, put your feet up and relax-you’ve earned it! While you're relaxing, click here to find your NEW home for next time!