Here are 10 ways to prepare your home for fall, focusing on both essential maintenance and creating a cozy, safe indoor environment.
Outdoor maintenance
- Clean your gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris that accumulated over the summer. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your roof, siding, and foundation when water freezes and expands.
- Protect outdoor water fixtures. Drain and disconnect garden hoses and turn off outdoor faucets before the first freeze. Any water left in the pipes can freeze and burst, leading to costly water damage.
- Inspect the roof and chimney. Use binoculars to check your roof for any missing, cracked, or damaged shingles before heavy rain and snow arrive. For homes with a fireplace, hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney and flue to prevent fires.
- Tend to your lawn and landscaping. Rake and remove leaves from your yard to prevent damage to the grass, but consider using shredded leaves as mulch for garden beds. Trim any tree branches that are too close to your roof or siding, and apply a fall fertilizer to help your lawn grow stronger roots for the spring.
- Clean and store outdoor items. Power wash your patio furniture, then cover or store it in a shed or garage to protect it from the elements. Also, clean and put away summer tools like lawn mowers and gardening equipment.
Indoor preparation
- Service your heating system. Before you turn on your heat for the first time, have a professional inspect your furnace. As a proactive step, you should also replace your furnace filter to improve air quality and efficiency.
- Seal cracks and drafts. Check for drafts around windows and doors, then seal any gaps or cracks with fresh caulking or weatherstripping. This will prevent warm air from escaping and help lower your heating bills.
- Test safety detectors. With fireplaces and heating systems getting more use, it’s crucial to check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Test the alarms and replace the batteries as needed.
- Reverse your ceiling fans. In the fall and winter, change your ceiling fan’s direction to clockwise. This creates an updraft that pushes warm air down from the ceiling, redistributing it throughout the room.
- Refresh your indoor decor. Add soft, layered textiles like blankets and throws to your living spaces to create a cozy feel. A thorough deep clean and decluttering session is also a good way to start the new season fresh.