Preparing Your Home for Fall

Fall is on its way. From the crisp New England air to the earlier sunsets, you know that the season of spectacular foliage is just around the corner. As you enjoy the last few weeks of summer, it’s important for homeowners to look ahead to the cooler season of autumn. A few precautions and preparations now can make it much easier for your home to sail through the cold winter months without any major repairs. Fall is a great time for home repair and improvement projects, because you’re plagued with neither the hot, humid days of summer, nor the cold and snowy obstacles waiting for you when Old Man Winter comes along. Here are some things to do now, before it gets cold:

If you’ve ever experienced a broken pipe in the winter, you know what a mess it can cause in your home, to your finances, and to your stress level! Check the pipes that are closest to exterior walls as well as in areas of your home that might not be as well-insulated as they should be. If they’re not wrapped in insulation, do that now, before the temperatures dip below freezing. While you’re at it, make sure that you can locate the turn-off valves in each area of your home; once a pipe bursts, turning off the valve quickly can mean the difference between minor and major damage. If the valves don’t open and close easily, now is the time to get that remedied.

The cardinal flower is a great choice to plant alongside your marsh marigolds, as they grow well in the same wet conditions. Just as the marigolds are past their peak, the bright red cardinal flowers will begin to bloom, attracting hummingbirds to your garden.

If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, it’s time to get your chimney inspected and cleaned. Too much soot and debris can cause a fire, which is not something you want to deal with any time of year! Check to be sure that your oil-burning furnace is filled before winter sets in, and if you use coal or wood, order a good supply if you don’t have enough on hand. Check your smoke detectors and if you don’t have them, install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home, particularly in front of the bedrooms; this odorless, colorless gas can be produced by any fuel-burning appliance, and can have tragic ramifications if not caught quickly.

Once the temperatures fall low enough to cause freezing, any debris that you have in your gutters or caught under loose shingles can cause damage. Before it gets icy out, climb up on your roof and replace or nail down any shingles that have gotten loose. Also, clean out your gutters well; be sure that any snow and ice that accumulates will have a clear path to drain once it melts. While you’re outside, look around and see if any tree branches are hanging precariously over your home; if they get weighed down with ice and the wind blows, you don’t want them coming in your window. If they’re too high or too large for you to deal with safely, call a professional now to have them removed.