Published on November 5th, 2021 | by Bibhuranjan

Hacks to Get Your Home Ready for Fall

Fall has arrived, whether you’re ready for it or not. As the temperature lowers and the days become shorter, it’s time to put the lawn furniture away and prepare your home for what lies ahead during the next six months.

Here are some hacks on how to get your home ready for fall and to make your home feel more comfortable during the colder months. If you’re not confident you can handle any of these activities yourself, hire a pro to avoid getting hurt or causing unnecessary damage to your property.

1. Replace the Batteries in Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

People often change their batteries as part of their spring cleaning routine. Others will wait until November 1st, when Daylight Saving Time ends. The crucial thing is that you switch them out every year to ensure that they’re still protecting your family. You should also dust your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so that their sensors can work properly.

2. Clean Your Gutters

Clogged rain gutters can cause ice dams, resulting in costly repairs. Clean your gutters after the leaves have dropped to remove leaves, twigs, and filth. Check for sagging gutters that could collect water and tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets. Replace any gutters and downspouts that are worn or damaged.

Be careful if you notice colored grit from asphalt roof shingles in your gutters. The sand-like grit protects shingles from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Look for further symptoms of damage to your roof since it may be time to replace the roof.

Your downspouts must extend at least 5 feet away from your house to avoid foundation issues. Add downspout extensions if they don’t already exist.

3. Prune Your Plants

While you’re getting your home ready for fall, you should not neglect your plants! Late October is the optimal time to prune plants and trees when the summer growth cycle is over. To avoid rainwater dripping into your roofing and siding, keep branches and limbs at least 3 feet away from the house. You also want to prevent damage to the exterior of your home during severe winds.

4. Seal Air Leaks Around Windows, Doors, and Other Openings with Caulk

Caulking around doors and windows prevents cold air from entering and conditioned indoor air from escaping. It’s preferable to do a perimeter check if you already did this in the spring to determine if further caulking is needed in any areas. Not only will having a good seal around these openings increase your home’s comfort, but it will also save you money and energy.

Caulking around vents, like your bathroom exhaust fan and dryer, and pipes and wires that run outside of your house, in addition to doors and windows, is a good idea. Choose a sunny day with temperatures over 50 degrees to ensure that the caulk runs efficiently.

5. Turn Off and Drain Outdoor Faucets

Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Water can back up in faucets and plumbing pipes within your external walls if hoses are left connected. Water may freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes if the temperature drops below freezing. Prioritize this in the early fall to avoid damage from an unexpected temperature drop.

Any shut-off valves on water supply lines leading to outside faucets should be turned off. This will prevent minor leaks from allowing water to enter the faucet. If you don’t have shut-off valves or simply cannot find them, have them installed by a licensed plumber.

After turning off the water inside:

Open the outside faucet to drain the water completely.
Open the drain plug on the inside shut-off valve while the outdoor faucet is still turned on.
Ensure the drain plug on the shut-off valve is closed and turn the outside faucet back to the off position once the water has completely drained from the pipe.
Once you’re done draining the garden hoses, store them in a shed or garage.

6. Bring in Your Outdoor Furniture

Don’t forget about your outdoor furniture while you get your home ready for fall! Put your outdoor furniture in a garage or shed during the winter months if you want it to last. Cover them with a waterproof furniture cover if you don’t have a place to put them.

7. Check Your Fireplace

Grab a flashlight and peek up inside your fireplace chimney to make sure the damper opens and closes appropriately to ensure your fireplace is safe. Check the flue for bird’s nests, branches and leaves, and other blockages by opening the damper and looking up into it. At the top of the chimney, you should be able to see daylight.

Look for broken or missing bricks and mortar in the firebox. Have a professional evaluate your fireplace and chimney if you see any damage. Every other year, your fireplace flue must be cleaned of creosote buildup.

8. Examine Your Furnace

Make an appointment with an HVAC professional, like the experts at Magnolia Heating and Cooling, to inspect and repair the heating system in preparation for the upcoming heating season.

Replace your furnace filters, which should be done every two months. If you haven’t yet, now is the perfect time to do so. Ensure the contractor replaces the humidifier filter if your HVAC system has one.

If your home gets heated by baseboard or radiator heating, these should also be cleaned and evaluated for potential risks.

Getting Your Home Ready for Fall – Evaluate Your Home Warranty

Now that your home is ready for fall, you should also consider getting your home warranty upgraded. If you don’t already have one, now is the time to get one. You can contact Complete Care Home Warranty to get a cheap home warranty quote.

Complete Care Home Warranty covers your home for most internal and external damage caused by harsh weather conditions, including plumbing and heating systems.

Get your home ready for fall and reward yourself with a pumpkin spice latte as you head into the winter months!

Cover image Source: unsplash.com

Tags: home improvement, winter home preparation

About the Author

Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.