With a change of seasons comes a change in scenery. You can look forward to beautiful fall colours, refreshing evening breezes, and your favourite comfy sweater. But it is also the opportune time to spend a weekend preparing your house for fall and winter, which often brings more extreme weather. Here are some tips to get your home ready for the colder months ahead.
Clear out the gutters Remove leaves and other debris from your drainpipe and gutters to prevent clogging.
Blow out sprinklers Outdoor faucets should be drained in the fall, and sprinklers blown out.
Clean the fireplace and chimney You can clear out ash and charred wood from the fireplace yourself, but leave the chimney cleaning to a professional. Have the chimney cleaner check the damper to ensure it can be tightly closed to prevent drafts.
Check the heating system Do a survey of your home’s heating vents to make sure they’re not blocked or covered by furniture, carpeting, or curtains. Dust vents and clean all filters.
Store air conditioners If you have removable window air conditioners, be sure to unplug them before taking them down. Dust and clean before covering or storing.
Check for drafts Stay warm, save energy, and reduce your heating bills this fall by examining windows and doors for cracks and sealing them to prevent drafts.
Alarms This is a good opportunity to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and to review your fire escape plan.
