Fall is here. Make sure your home is ready!

 

After such a beautiful summer, the weather is changing .... Let us help you prepare for the new season with some tips and advice in preparing your home and yard for colder weather. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to check a few items off your list!

 

#1 - Walk it Out

 

Take a walk around your property and make note of any signs of damage to the roof, siding or foundation. Be sure to schedule any repairs in the next couple of weeks!

 

#2 - Clear the Gutters

 

After the leaves have fallen, clear your gutters and downspouts of any leaves or debris that could otherwise lead to clogs. Clogged gutters can cause exterior damage, so installing leaf guards may be a good investment!

 

#3 - Stay Warm

 

Call a professional to inspect and clean your chimney annually to prevent dangerous chimney fires. Consider having a home heating inspection to ensure your furnace or gas fireplace is working properly. Also, replace the filter in your furnace.

 

#4 - Hoses and Sprinklers Away

 

For next month, remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets to prevent water from backing up, which can freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes. Drain your irrigation system to avoid any broken pipes or sprinkler heads. A professional can assist if you're not sure how to get the job done properly.

 

#5 - Care for your Plants

 

Late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees - when the summer growth cycle is over. Your goals is to keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so that moisture won't drip onto roofing and siding, and to prevent damage to your home's exterior during strong winds.

 

#6 - Seal it Up

 

Grab a couple of tubes of color-matched exterior caulk ($10 - $15 per tube) and make a journey around your home's exterior, sealing up cracks between trim and siding, around window & door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your home. Preventing moisture from getting inside your walls is one of the least expensive and most important of your fall jobs. You'll also seal air leaks that waste energy!