As the crisp fall weather settles in, now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the upcoming winter months. Whether you’re thinking about selling your home or just ensuring it stays in great shape, tackling these maintenance tasks will help protect your investment and keep things cozy.
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1. Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
Prevent water damage by clearing out leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can lead to roof damage or leaks.
Prevent water damage by clearing out leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can lead to roof damage or leaks.
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2. Inspect Your Roof
Check for any loose or missing shingles before winter storms hit. Address any repairs now to avoid more significant damage later.
Check for any loose or missing shingles before winter storms hit. Address any repairs now to avoid more significant damage later.
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3. Seal Windows and DoorsDrafts can make your home colder and less energy-efficient. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any gaps around windows and doors.
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4. Service Your Furnace
Ensure your heating system is working efficiently by scheduling a tune-up with a professional. Clean or replace filters to keep your system running smoothly.
Ensure your heating system is working efficiently by scheduling a tune-up with a professional. Clean or replace filters to keep your system running smoothly.
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5. Check Your Chimney
If you have a fireplace, make sure your chimney is cleaned and inspected before lighting your first fire of the season.
If you have a fireplace, make sure your chimney is cleaned and inspected before lighting your first fire of the season.
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6. Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers
Prevent pipes from freezing by draining outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems. Disconnect hoses and store them properly for the winter.
Prevent pipes from freezing by draining outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems. Disconnect hoses and store them properly for the winter.
7. Trim Trees and Shrubs
Cut back any branches that could pose a risk to your home during heavy snow or ice storms. This will help prevent damage to your roof or siding.
Cut back any branches that could pose a risk to your home during heavy snow or ice storms. This will help prevent damage to your roof or siding.
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8. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With heating systems running more frequently in the colder months, it’s essential to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for safety.
With heating systems running more frequently in the colder months, it’s essential to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for safety.
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9. Rake and Mulch Leaves
Instead of letting leaves pile up, rake them and add a layer of mulch to your garden beds. This helps protect your plants and keeps your yard looking tidy.
Instead of letting leaves pile up, rake them and add a layer of mulch to your garden beds. This helps protect your plants and keeps your yard looking tidy.
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10. Prepare Your Lawn for Next Spring
Aerate and fertilize your lawn in the fall to ensure healthy grass growth when spring arrives. Fall is also a great time to plant new bulbs and trees.
Aerate and fertilize your lawn in the fall to ensure healthy grass growth when spring arrives. Fall is also a great time to plant new bulbs and trees.
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Conclusion:
Taking care of these fall maintenance tasks now will not only prepare your home for winter but also help you avoid costly repairs and keep your home’s value intact. If you have any questions or need recommendations for local service providers, Team Kathy Borys is here to help!
Taking care of these fall maintenance tasks now will not only prepare your home for winter but also help you avoid costly repairs and keep your home’s value intact. If you have any questions or need recommendations for local service providers, Team Kathy Borys is here to help!