Temperatures are dropping, leaves are turning, and football is gracing the television every weekend — yes, it’s fall and that means it’s time to prepare your home for the colder months. To make the most out of the season, and to avoid major problems, go through this checklist to prepare your home for a wonderful autumn and winter.
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Weather stripping:
Check the weather stripping on your exterior doors and windows. Can you see daylight around the perimeters? Does the stripping look worn? Touch up and replace the weather stripping and caulking where needed. Proper weather proofing will keep warm air in and cool drafts outside where they belong.
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Upgrade those windows:
Take things to the next level, and upgrade your home’s windows with a high quality replacement. The right windows will pay for themselves with energy efficiency over the long haul.
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Clean the gutters:
Cleaning the gutters might not be a fun chore, but it’s always better to address the gutters proactively. Leaves and twigs can accumulate and create major drainage problems quickly.
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Check the chimney:
Fireplace season is one of the joys of cooler, autumn temperatures. Be sure to have your chimney checked and cleaned so there are no obstructions and it’s ready for use as soon as it’s needed.
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Check the roof:
Once again, making a preventative fix is better than running into major trouble later on. Check for missing or damaged shingles, leaks, or even areas of rot or decay.
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And the siding:
No point in skipping the siding! Check for cracks, gaps, or damage. Give the entire exterior of your home an good inspection for early warning signs or problem areas.
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Stock up on firewood:
Now that the fireplace is sparkling clean and ready to use, it’s best to gather firewood to have on hand for when you need it. You certainly don’t want to wait until a winter storm is rolling in or even worse, until after you’ve lost power and heat. Prepare your home by stocking up early. And consider cleaner-burning, kiln-dried wood as an alternative choice to seasoned wood this year.
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Get smart:
As in, smart home technology such as programmable thermostats. Save money on the energy bill by automatically controlling temperature throughout the home, even right from a smart phone.
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Annual safety checks:
If this isn’t already on the calendar for another time of the year, then perform annual maintenance and safety checks now; test all fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
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Garden and hose prep:
Turn off the sprinkler system, outdoor faucets, and as necessary, drain hoses and irrigation systems. Clean up those hoses and store them inside.
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Final lawn maintenance:
There are some key to-dos to get the lawn ready for next year’s lush greenery. The list includes fertilization, leaf removal, tidying up the landscaping, and one last lawn mowing.
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Get the right gear:
After that final round of lawn maintenance, get the fall and winter gear ready in the shed and garage, storing summer’s equipment out of the way. Think snow shovels or blowers, salt for walkways, and so forth. And, be sure to test any mechanical gear as necessary.
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HVAC work:
Get the HVAC unit in working order, whether it’s changing filters, checking for leaks or blockages, winterizing an outdoor AC unit, and so forth.
To tackle any of the larger projects on this list or learn more ways about how to upgrade your home this season, be sure to contact an experienced remodeling contractor in Wichita for assistance. It’s not too late to schedule that long awaited home remodel for the coming winter.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in November, 2016 and was updated in September, 2021 for accuracy.