As we enter September, it’s time to face the reality that summer’s days are numbered. For those in climates with changing seasonal temperatures, now is the time of crisp autumn days and beautiful leaves. As we transition into a new season, we have to make sure our homes transition with us. These tips for preparing your home for fall will help you make the transition well.
Best Practices in Preparing Your Home for Fall
Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
For many, autumn is a particularly wet season, and with winter following fast upon it, roofs are especially susceptible to collapse. This is the time of year to have an inspection done to see if it’s time for a new roof. Along with the inspection, being sure that your gutters are cleared of falling leaves will help prevent overflows of water and later snow that builds up on your roof, making collapse more likely.
Examine Pipes
Falling leaves don’t only pose a threat to gutters. Piping can potentially become clogged up by autumn debris, so pipes should be examined and cleaned out during autumn. While examining pipes for clogs, you should also be vigilant for cracks and begin taking measures to protect piping from colder temperatures. This will decrease the likelihood of having a burst pipe once the temperatures get low.
Along with indoor piping, piping found in inground lawn irrigation systems will also need to be prepared for cooler temperatures. After shutting off the sprinkler system, the pipes will have to be drained of excess water. Backflow preventers and valves will also need to be insulated against colder temperatures. This should be done before temperatures hit freezing, so autumn is the best time to do it.
Store Outdoor Furniture
Sadly, the season of backyard parties is coming to an end. To help ensure that next summer’s parties are well-prepared for, you will want to make sure that outdoor furniture is properly covered and stored. How you do this will depend on the type of furniture you have. Before storage, wooden furniture should be resealed to protect the wood and then covered. Metal furniture may be waxed or painted to prevent rust. Plastic and wicker furniture simply needs to be washed. As for cushions, these should be kept indoors to prevent mold from developing inside.
Test Winter Equipment
The worst time to realize your snow blower doesn’t work or your snow shovel is broken is the morning after a blizzard. To avoid this, it’s best to check that you have all the winter essentials you need while it’s still a little warm outside. This is also a good time to stock up on things such as snow shovels and extra firewood.
Seasons are a beautiful thing. They help us remember that life is all about growth and change. Preparing your home for fall may seem like a series of chores, but in a sense, they can help us keep in tune with the changing paces of life and appreciate them.
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