1. Change your Air Filters
Keep your air clean and fresh! Replace your HVAC system’s air filter seasonally as well as the filter in your kitchen range hood. By cleaning your system and maintaining it regularly, you are guaranteed greater efficiency and a healthier indoor environment.
2. Clean Gutters
Once most of the leaves have fallen from the trees, it is important to clean and repair your gutters and downspouts before the snow starts to fly. Grab a ladder and some gloves and start by removing debris from the gutters with your hands. Then remove any leftover scraps with a garden hose.
3. Check the Roof
Check your roof for cracked or missing shingles or tiles and examine areas around the vents and chimney for damage or anything that simply doesn’t look right. This visual inspection does not require a ladder, and you certainly don’t have to get on a roof. If you notice anything that needs closer inspection or repair, call a roofer.
4. Drain your irrigation lines
Even buried irrigation lines can freeze, leading to busted pipes and broken sprinkler heads.
- Turn off the water to the system at the main valve.
- Shut off the automatic controller.
- Open drain valves to remove water from the system.
- Remove any above-ground sprinkler heads and shake the water out of them, then replace.
5. Put Away Patio Furniture/ Planters
The drop in temperature can result in cracked planters, and wither away your outdoor furniture. Put them in your basement or garage to avoid this.
6. Test Alarms
Let the change of season be your reminder to test ALL smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors for proper functioning and change the batteries. Also, check your fire extinguishers to ensure there are no leaks and the pin is in place.
7. Inspect Basement Window Wells
As the temperature starts to drop, so do the leaves. Be sure to clean debris out of the window wells before they freeze in there. This will help decrease your chances of a basement flood come spring!
8. Test Winter Equipment
Before you know it, the snow will start to fly and making sure your snow blower is working will save you the headache when the snows so deep you can’t get your car out of the driveway.