The first frost of the year has already come and gone, fall has arrived, and winter weather will be here before we know it. From back-to-school responsibilities to making holiday travel plans, this is a busy time of year for many families, but it’s important to make some time to prepare your home for the cold weather. Use the following 10-step checklist to help you accomplish these essential outdoor fall home maintenance tasks before the first snow falls.
Rake or mulch the yard. There are a couple of ways to accomplish this task. The first is to use a rake or leaf blower to consolidate the leaves in a pile and then bag and dispose of them. Another option is to use your lawnmower to shred the leaves and leave them on your lawn as mulch.- Clear the gutters. To prevent water build up and damage from improper drainage, you’ll need to clear the gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris. Using a ladder is dangerous. Hire a professional or, if you are going to tackle the job yourself, be sure you know how to use a ladder safely.
- Trim the shrubs and trees around your home. Winter’s heavy precipitation drags down boughs and branches, which can damage your home’s exterior. Cut these back ahead of time to prevent this type of damage.
- Prepare your winter tools and equipment. Inspect the condition of your snow shovels, roof rakes, and ice scrapers. Test run and tune up your snow blower with fresh fuel and an oil change. As you take out and inspect your winter tools, it’s also a good time to winterize and store your summer tools and yard equipment.
- Inspect the roof. Using binoculars, walk around your home and examine your roof from every angle. If you discover any loose or damaged shingles, repair these areas before the snow and ice get a chance to exacerbate the damage.
- Hire a professional chimney sweep. An annual chimney inspection and cleaning by a professional chimney sweep will ensure a cleaner and safer operation of any fireplaces, wood stoves, or pellet stoves you may have.
- Turn off exterior faucets. To prevent damage from frozen faucet valves or burst pipes, turn off the water supply to your exterior faucets from inside your home. It’s a good idea to drain and store garden hoses as well.
- Repair exterior paint. Your home’s exterior paint is its first line of defense against the elements. Closely inspect your home’s exterior and spot-repair any damaged, missing, or worn areas with a fresh coat of exterior paint.
- Winterize grills, patio furniture, and outdoor accessories. If you do not plan to use your grill over the winter, you’ll need to clean it thoroughly, disconnect the gas supply, and cover the unit completely. Clean and store your patio furniture and other lawn ornaments to prevent damage.
- Stock up early on winter essentials. When a severe storm is in the forecast, many hardware stores run out of the winter fundamentals. To avoid the last minute rush or sold out stores, stock up now on essential items such as sand, salt, shovels, and roof rakes.
Winter does not have to be a damaging and expensive season. Accomplishing these tasks will help you protect your home’s exterior against harsh winter weather, but it’s important to remember that the inside of your home needs attention at this time of year as well. Click here to review the Indoor Fall Home Maintenance Checklist and learn about the steps you can take to prepare your home’s interior for the cold months ahead.
At Eaton & Berube, the protection of your home is our priority. For additional home maintenance tips and useful resources, please subscribe to our blog or contact us.