1. Inspect The Roof
A lot can happen out of sight on a home’s roof. Before bad weather sets in, it’s always wise to inspect your roof for potential future problems, and deal with them sooner rather than later. While you’re up there:
- Check for loose or missing shingles that should be repaired or replaced.
- Remove blockages from gutters, secure any sagging sections and replace worn or damaged fascia boards.
- Remove bird’s nests and debris from the fireplace chimney.
- Check flashing for dimpling that may indicate past hail damage.
2. Manage Water Resources
If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, you know freezing water can be the enemy. Before the first hard freeze, disable water access to exterior faucets, winterize ponds, fountains and pools, empty unheated bird baths and drain lawn irrigation systems in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Stow Outdoor Furniture
Your deck, patio or outdoor room was probably a popular spot when temperatures red lined, but now is the time to put the furniture in storage and secure items that won’t be wintering indoors. Whenever possible, wash and thoroughly dry furnishings before you store them. This will help extend their usefulness and make summer prep easier. If you don’t have room indoors, plan on covering large items and moving them to a protected outdoor spot away from wind and driving rain. Store smaller objects, and those containing fabric like cushions and mats, in a shed or all-weather chest.
Tip: If you’d like to store more in your garage but just don’t have the space, consider adding overhead storage bolted to the ceiling joists. It’s an effective choice for seasonal items like outdoor furniture, pool toys and camping gear.
4. Have The Heating System Checked
Your furnace works hard all winter keeping your home warm and habitable. Before you fire it up for another season, have it inspected by a professional. This seems like an unnecessary expense, but it’s actually important preventive maintenance. A small bill now might save you big money later, to say nothing of the inconvenience of living in a freezing house while waiting for a repair man to fit you into his very, very busy schedule come January.
Even if you don’t elect to have a furnace inspection and tune-up, take the time to change out your furnace filter. This will help your furnace function more efficiently and improve the air quality in your home. It’s also a good time to clear furniture, pillows and other accumulated stuff from around your registers and return air vents.
5. Insulate Windows
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heat loss through windows alone can account for about 25 percent of a home’s heating bill. This might be the year to consider upgrading your single pane windows to more energy efficient alternatives like high performance glass double pane windows. Other options include adding insulated panels, thermal blinds, protective window film and insulated drapes.
6. Inspect and Augment Insulation
If your home is poorly insulated, you probably already know it. That doesn’t mean you can’t take measures now to maximize the efficiency of both the building itself and the equipment inside. Doing so could save 15 percent or more on your home energy costs this winter:
Add weather stripping – Using this cut, peel and stick insulating material is one easy way to reduce heat loss through doors and windows. Small measures like this can have a large impact. Take the time to add weather stripping to the access door to your attic, too.
Inspect heating ducts – Check your heating ducts for cracks and fissures, and reseal any you find.
Seal attic access – Seal gaps and holes around electrical conduit, ducts and plumbing in your attic.
Check the plumbing – Add weather stripping or calk to plumbing vents and add slip-on polystyrene insulation to exposed water pipes.
Plug your outlets – Install insulating gaskets behind wall switches and outlets located on exterior walls.
Caulk windows and doors – Add or refresh exterior caulk to seal windows and doors against drafts.
Dress your water heater – If your standard water heater isn’t insulated, install an insulating blanket over it. This will keep the water inside hotter longer, saving you energy dollars.
7. Flip The Fan
Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer use. They can help keep indoor rooms more comfortable year round. The secret is in the little switch on the housing. It reverses the direction of the tilted blades. A counterclockwise direction of flow pulls air up toward the ceiling, while a clockwise direction pushes rising hot air downward. In winter, a properly directed ceiling fan rotating clockwise pushes indoor air off the ceiling and back into the lower half of the room. Without interference, that furnace heated air would keep rising until it encountered insulation or exited through the roof.
8. Mulch The Flowerbeds
Mulching your landscape before winter will help protect your plants the way a heavy blanket keeps you warm on a cold winter’s night. Mulch also helps keep weed growth under control in spring, making it easier to get a jump start on spring planting. You don’t have to spend a lot on mulch products, either. Shredded fall leaves make excellent mulch, as does shredded paper and straw. Of course, you can also use wood chips, pebbles, small stones and any of a number of synthetic products. If you elect to use wood, be careful to place it at least six inches away from your home’s foundation as it may attract subterranean termites.
9. Restock Closets
If you think an organized home starts with an ordered closet outfitted for the season, then fall is the time to start swapping out those shorts and sandals for winter wear like sweaters, heavy coats, umbrellas, gloves and boots. Oh, and don’t forget the cozy comforters and flannel sheets.
10. Have Your Chimney Inspected
You may already know your chimney is free of home invaders like birds and small mammals, but it could still create problems. A chimney that doesn’t draft well can become a nightmare when the family room fills with smoke after you try kindling the first autumn fire of the season. Almost as bad is leaving the flue open and letting furnace warmed air float away faster than your thermostat can register the loss. Worst of all is an undiagnosed problem like creosote buildup or a structural breach that could produce an uncontained fire. Before you strike a match near your hearth, have your fireplace cleaned and inspected. It’s the only way to make sure that cozy fire is safe as well as picture perfect.
