As the warm summer months start to come to a close, now is the perfect time to start preparing your home for fall. While breaking out the pumpkin-scented candles and festive fall décor may be part of your fall preparation, it’s important to remember that there are some household maintenance items that are best tackled before the weather takes a turn for the worse!
We’ve compiled a list of some top tips to help you prepare your home for fall and keep it cozy and warm into the colder months.
Clean Your Gutters
The drainage system on your roof is essential in diverting water away from your home’s exterior and away from any foundation walls, which is why it’s important that they remain clear of any debris. Things like leaves, sticks and other pieces of debris can block your gutters, which can lead to damaged exterior surfaces and in some cases, water in your basement. Before the leaves begin to fly this fall, make sure to clean out or replace your gutters, then cover them with mesh gutter guards to keep them clear of debris in the future.
Clean & Store Outdoor Furniture
While outdoor furniture might be labelled as ‘outdoor’, it doesn’t mean that you should leave it out to weather the harsh Canadian winter conditions. Bringing your outdoor furniture indoors during the colder months will not only help keep it in great condition but also provides you with an opportunity to thoroughly clean and inspect each piece. Outdoor storage sheds or garages are great options for outdoor furniture storage, but if you don’t have indoor storage space available, then covering your items with a waterproof furniture cover is also a great alternative.
Protect Outdoor Faucets from Freezing Temperatures
Canadian winters can get cold, so taking the time to ensure that any outdoor faucets and in-ground irrigation systems are protected against freezing temperatures is important. For outdoor faucets, first remove any garden hoses that may still be attached, before closing any shut-off valves that feed the faucets. Once closed, you can proceed to open the outside faucet to drain the line, which will help keep it from freezing and bursting.
For any in-ground irrigation systems, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s procedure to properly drain the lines and protect them from any damage throughout the winter.
Prep Your Fireplace
If your home has a wood-burning fireplace, now is a great time to stock up on firewood and prep your fireplace for use during the colder months. Have someone out to service your chimney to avoid any chimney fires and ensure that your entire fireplace is in clean, working order. Ensuring that your home is stocked with lots of firewood before winter will save you from having to trudge around in the snow to chop wood when you’d rather be sitting in front of a crackling fire.
Test Winter Tools & Equipment
There is nothing worse than heading out to remove snow from your driveway and sidewalks, only to discover that your snow blower isn’t working, or you can’t find your snow shovel. Taking the time to test all of your winter tools and equipment before the snow flies can save you time and help you avoid any potential headaches down the road. Take inventory of what tools you have, and what tools might be good to purchase now so they are there when you need them.
For fall, some essential tools include a leaf blower, rake, and broom, while the winter months may require ice salts, a snow shovel, a snow blower, and an ice scraper.
Taking the time to properly prepare your home for fall and the colder months ahead will help keep everything running smoothly so you can spend more time indoors getting cozy by the fire rather than being outside in the cold.