Fall is officially here, and that means it’s time to prep your home to withstand winter weather. As a homeowner, you want to do everything you can to ensure that your home remains intact, comfortable, and looks good throughout the winter. Check out this fall home maintenance checklist to ensure that happens.
Clean Your Gutters
One of the most important things you can do this fall is clean your home’s gutters. Your gutters are responsible for diverting thousands of gallons of water from your home’s exterior and foundational walls. When they’re clogged with leaves, sticks, and other debris, it makes it harder for your gutters to do their job and can lead to damaged exterior surfaces and water in your basement.
Check for Drafts
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat loss through windows is responsible for 25 to 30 percent of heat energy use. But that doesn’t have to hold true for your house. This fall, check for drafts coming from your windows. If you find that your windows are letting in cool air, apply weatherstripping or replace the windows with energy-efficient ones.
Turn Off Outside Faucets
The Mid-Atlantic region can get very cold in the winter — sometimes reaching freezing temperatures. When it’s cold outside, it can cause water to freeze. If there is water sitting in any of your outdoor faucets, it can freeze and eventually lead to damage. That’s why it’s important to turn off any valves serving outside faucets and drain the outdoor faucet line this fall.
Change Your Filters
If filters around your home are clogged, it’s harder to keep your home at the temperature you want. As a result, you end up spending more money on energy bills. This fall, be sure to check and change the filters around your house. It can save you money in the long run.
Check the Roof
Your roof is an essential part of your home. Over time, shingles can become damaged or missing and cause problems for the inside of your home. To avoid having problems inside your home, be sure to have your roof checked by a professional and have them do any necessary repairs this fall.
Cut the Grass Short
While most homeowners are concerned with keeping leaves off their lawn throughout the fall, another thing they should be concerned about is keeping the grass short. Short grass reduces the chance of snow mold forming and ensures that the new grass that grows in the spring will have room to sprout.
Fertilize Your Lawn
Although you may only be concerned about ridding your lawn of leaves throughout the fall, consider fertilizing it during this time. Adding fertilizer to your lawn during the fall is a great way to protect it from the harsh winter weather, and help your lawn turn green faster in the spring.
We Do it All
This fall, consider Dragon Scale, Inc. for all your fall checklist needs. As a Maryland home remodeling company, we do it all. From specialized home remodeling services to interior and exterior home services. Let the experts at Dragon Scale, Inc. prep your home for the winter; call us now or click here to request a FREE estimate.