5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Fall and Winter 

As the weather gets colder, homeowners need to prepare their houses for the fall and winter months. There are several things that can be done to make sure your house is ready for cooler weather that can save you money and help keep you comfortable.

Clean Your Gutters

Gutters help keep water off your roof and prevent leaks and floods throughout your house. When gutters are working properly, they make sure your home remains dry and clean, but if your gutters get clogged, water can get inside your house causing mold or water damage to your walls, floors, and basement. 

When the fall begins, have your gutters cleaned to make sure they are working properly. In addition, you can install gutter guards to minimize the need for future cleanings.

Check Your Roof

This is something a homeowner can take care of on their own. Use a pair of binoculars to see if any roof shingles are loose, missing, or damaged. Check to see if water or dirt is accumulating in a particular area of the roof. If the roof is uneven or warped, you may need to call in a professional to take care of this before it becomes a major problem that causes leaks.

Have Seasonal Maintenance Done on Your Furnace or Heat Pump

In order to make sure your HVAC system is working properly, it is recommended that you have it serviced twice a year. This should be done in the spring and in the fall when the weather starts to change. By scheduling regular maintenance, you can ensure that your heating system is working properly before the weather gets very cold and can prevent small problems from becoming big, expensive catastrophes. Call your local HVAC professional to prepare your HVAC system for the cooler weather and to keep your system running at peak efficiency. This will lower your monthly utility bills and save you money in the long run. 

Replace Your Screen Doors and Windows

If you have screen doors or windows in the summer, now is the time to replace them to minimize heat loss when the weather gets colder. Remove your screen doors and windows and put in your storm doors and windows to make sure your house stays warm and your HVAC system doesn’t have to work harder to keep your house at a comfortable temperature in the colder weather.

Replace the Batteries in Your Smoke Detector and Check Your Fire Extinguisher

The government recommends that you change the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year. Most people do this when they move their clocks on and off of daylight savings time. The fall is the right time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and to check the pressure on your fire extinguishers. By doing this, you will help keep your family and your home safe in case of emergencies.

These are several important steps that can be taken to prepare your home for the cooler fall and winter months. If you follow these, you will keep your home in good shape, stay safe, and save money.