As the temperature outside continues to drop there is no question that the summer season has passed and fall is officially here.
The school year is in full swing and the stores of full of pumpkins and teasers of Thanksgiving. This is the time of year when homeowners start to prepare the inside and outside of their homes for the fall and winter weather.
Here are a few to-dos you can add to your list to ensure that your home is prepared and protected:
Outside of Your Home:
- Make sure all of the cracks in your asphalt or concrete are filled and repaired. These could be in your patio, walkway, or driveway. It is important to get these repaired to retain the curb appeal of your home and also to protect from tripping accidents.
- Trim trees and branches that hang too close to your house or electrical wires. Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.
- Replace worn roof shingles or tiles. Check for leaks to ensure water cannot enter. Clean out gutters and use a hose to spray water down downspouts to clear away debris. Consider installing leaf guards on gutters or extensions on downspouts to direct water away from your home.
- Clean any outdoor furniture or gardening tools and plan to get them stored for the season. You could also cover them with a drape or a tarp to protect them during storms but, uncover them if the weather is nice enough to be outdoors
- Disconnect and store your garden hoses to ensure that nothing freezes when the temperature drops. While it might not get as cold here in Las Vegas as it does other places in the country – garden hoses are not designed to withstand cold weather at all.
Inside of Your Home:
- Check the area around your windows and doors to make sure the caulking and sealant are in good shape. Look for signs of cracking, peeling or even missing pieces and get these repaired right away. Having well-insulated windows and doors is essential to ensuring the energy-efficiency of your home all year around
- Check all of the indoor lighting in your home to make sure that all bulbs are working properly and provide plenty of light. Your home should be well-lit and easy to get around in as the nights get longer and the days get shorter.
- Check all of the batteries in your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and garage door fobs & wall opener. Also, make sure that your have the name and number of a plumber and an electrician on-hand in an easily accessible place.
Make sure to get these fall to-dos marked off of your list and savor in the peace of mind that your home is as safe and as cozy as possible – you are ready for that cold weather!