Sadly, Summer is coming to a close and it’s time to get your home ready for fall. After months of enjoying the beautiful, sunny, and warm weather, and taking part in fun Summer activities such as beach day trips, lazy days at the lake, and outdoor concerts, it is time to start to get back into the swing of things.
For some, this might mean starting to go back into the office, going back to school, kicking off your college experience, or just organizing your life and daily routine in general. Many people use the start of Fall to fully clean out their home and start fresh ahead of the holiday season. If you are a homeowner, there are several tasks that are vital to completing before the cold winter months.
Here’s what you need to do to get your home ready for fall:
Clean out the gutters.
First, clean out the gutters outside. While this is never a fun job, it is extremely important to do every single year so that you can avoid bigger problems happening. Plus, while you are up on the ladder to clean the gutters out, you can also inspect other parts of your home such as your roof for any damaged shingles, vents, and the chimney for any missing mortar.
Turn off outdoor plumbing.
If you have an outdoor shower (the dream!) make sure that you remember to turn it off, along with any other outdoor plumbing that you might have, such as outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems. Make sure that you are also covering them so that they do not freeze over when the cold Fall and Winter weather comes around.
Clean outdoor patio and furniture.
For those that have a patio, do a deep cleaning so that it is all set before the snow comes. This could mean power-washing your patio if you have access and making sure that any damages are fixed. And, if you have patio furniture or any landscaping tools left outside, make sure those go into storage so that they do not get damaged during the off-season.
Plant bulbs for spring-blooming flowers.
As soon as the soil cools down on the exterior of your home, plant some bulbs so that you are prepared for flowers to bloom when Spring rolls around. If you have never done this before and are looking to try it out for the first time, try selecting a spot in your yard that gets full sun every day, so that it will be an easy transition when it gets warmer out.
Clean fireplace and chimney.
Everyone wants to use their fireplace during the cold months if they are lucky enough to have one! Make sure that you are properly cleaning out your fireplace, inspecting the flue, and ensuring that the doors are working properly. It is also smart to have your chimney professionally swept so it is clear before the cold months. Do not forget to buy some firewood!
Create a mudroom.
If you do not already have a designated spot in your house for a mudroom, now is the time to figure out the best place for that to go. During the Fall and Winter, it can not only be rainy, but there will also be a lot of mud, dirt, and other debris that can arise from a cold and snowy day. By having a mudroom, you are not only organizing an area for the wet and cold weather, but you are also ensuring the safety of everyone in your home. Make sure there is a good indoor/outdoor rug in the mudroom to protect the floor and try finding a shoe rack or bench that can store winter gear, boots, and coats.