It’s that time of year again. The air is getting crisp and cool at night. The scent of fall is in the air. Soon it will be time to turn on the furnace for the heating season. Not sure what to do to prepare for the heating season this year? While I could call a professional to come do these things, I prefer to take care of as much home maintenance as possible. Here are 15 easy fall preparedness tips that you can do yourself to ensure an enjoyable fall season and a worry-free winter.
How to Easily Prepare for Fall
How to Easily Prepare for Fall Inside Your Home:
15 Easy Fall Preparedness Tips:
Windows and Doors
Inspect your doors, windows, and entryways for cracks and gaps. Be sure to seal anything up that could let in cold air. Replace caulking and worn-out weatherstripping. Make sure your door sweeps (that thing on the bottom of your door that forms a seal with the threshold) are in good condition. These get brittle and break over time leaving small gaps where cold air can seep through. Sealing up gaps and cracks in a drafty house can save you up to 20 percent in heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Keeping warm during the winter will help you feel more at peace. Find more tips on how to stay warm during the winter here.
Weatherstripping is the most cost-effective way to decrease heating and cooling costs. To check your weatherstripping, try closing a door on a piece of paper. If the paper slides easily or your door moves completely over it without touching it, your weatherstripping isn’t properly sealing the opening. Your nearby hardware store will carry the weatherstripping you need.
Heating system
Furnaces
Replace your furnace filter. This should be done every 3 months, and more during the heating season. A clean furnace filter will make a big difference in both the air quality in your home and the efficiency of your heating unit.
Not sure how to change one?
- Follow these 6 simple steps:
- Turn off your furnace.
- Find and locate your furnace filter
- Determine the size of your filter. You may need to measure it with a measuring tape. If in doubt, remove it and take it with you to the hardware store.
- Remove the existing (old) filter.
- Insert the new filter. Before installing, locate the arrow that indicates airflow. The arrow should face toward your furnace and away from the air duct that supplies your unit with air.
- Return the furnace to the “on” position.
Give your heating system a checkup. Once a year, it’s a good idea to have your heating system inspected by a professional. Consider scheduling this early fall to avoid the last-minute rush.
Protect from gas problems. An improperly maintained gas heater can let off toxic gases into the air of your home. It can also cost you more to operate. Besides having a professional give it a check-up, there are some easy maintenance items you can address yourself. First, shut off the heater, then check the air vents and exhaust vents for dirt and dust. Vacuum out the air passages to the burner and clean the burner of lint and dirt.
Fireplace and Wood Stove Preparation
Fireplace inspection
Prep your fireplace. Even if you only occasionally use your fireplace, you should still check it annually for damage and hazards.
- First, check for creosote buildup. Creosote is a flammable by-product of burning wood. It looks a little like an ashy buildup. You can perform this test yourself by shining a bright flashlight up the flue. If the deposits are more than ⅛ inch thick, you need to call a professional. For most people, the best thing is to have the entire chimney system inspected by a chimney sweep.
- Also, check your chimney for damage or flue blockages.
- Make sure the flue cap (screen or baffle covering the top of the chimney) is in place.
- If you have a brick chimney, inspect the bricks for loose or broken joints.
- Check the damper which is the metal plate that opens and closes the flue just above the firebox.
- Practice opening and closing it to make sure it is working properly.
Wood Stove Inspection
- Give your wood stove a check-up. There is really nothing that says coziness in the winter like a bright, crackling wood fire. Regular inspections are needed to ensure they do not become a safety hazard.
- Inspect the stovepipes. You are looking for corrosion, holes, or loose joints that can let in toxic fumes.
- Clean the stovepipe and look for deterioration or looseness.
- Tighten or replace a stovepipe as necessary.
- Check to make sure your unit sits on approved floor material.
- If you have small children, make sure to fence off the area when it is in use to prevent unnecessary burns. To illustrate the importance of this, not one, but two of my children received 2nd and 3rd-degree burns to their hands as toddlers from touching the hot fireplace glass. They each had a month of physical therapy to treat the wounds. Toddlers are super fast! Protect your littles by installing a simple fireplace screen in front of your stove or fireplace to keep them from touching the glass.
Clean your carpets.
Fall is a great time to clean your carpets. The hot days of summer have passed and the frigid days of winter have yet to arrive. It’s the best time to open windows for ventilation which speeds up the drying process. My favorite cleaner is the Bissel. (insert affiliate link) If you are not comfortable operating a carpet cleaning machine, allow a professional to wrestle the heavy equipment for you. While the carpet dries, you can get out and enjoy the not-so-lasting pleasant fall days.
Easy Fall Preparedness tips for Inspecting your safety equipment.
Fire Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Regular checks of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be done in the fall. Also, check out your fire extinguishers. Each home should have at least one rate for all fire types (look for an A-B-C rating on the label). At a minimum, keep one in or near the kitchen. Having one per floor is not a bad idea as well. Check for the following:
- You want to check for dents, scratches, and corrosion.
- Make sure the lock pin is intact and firmly in place.
- Notice the indicator on the pressure gauge and be sure it is charged.
- If your extinguisher tank is nearing empty or the damage seems severe, replace it.
- Note: fire extinguishers should be replaced every 6 years.
Fire Escape Plan
Review your fire escape plans and update as needed. Each bedroom, including basement bedrooms, should have two exit paths. Windows should be clear and accessible. Upper-floor bedrooms should have a rope ladder near the window in case of an emergency. Review with your family members what to do in case of a fire and arrange a safe place to meet.
Easy Fall Preparedness Tips for Your Home’s Exterior
Exterior Faucets
Protect your faucets from freezing temperatures. If like me you live in an area with freezing winter temperatures, taking steps to protect outdoor faucets and in-ground irrigation systems (think yard sprinkler systems) could save you a bundle. Here’s what you should do:
- First, close any shut-off valve serving outside faucets.
- Next, open the outside faucet to drain the line.
- If you don’t have shut-off valves and your faucets are not “freeze-proof” types, place a styrofoam faucet cover over the faucet.
- Don’t have one? Pick one up at your nearest home improvement store.
- To protect your in-ground irrigation system, follow the manufacturer’s procedures for draining and protecting it from freezing damage.
Hoses
Protect your hoses. Lawn and yard equipment is expensive. Protect your investment in your hoses by draining them in the fall and storing them for the winter. Doing this simple thing will protect your hoses from developing holes and cracks from frozen water left in the line over winter.
Protect your Lawn with These Easy Fall Preparedness Tips:
Get your lawn ready for winter. Protect your investment in your beautiful lawn by completing necessary projects in the fall.
- Raking leaves to prevent suffocating leaf mats in the spring
- Aeration prevents your lawn from suffocating.
- Fertilize and winterize grass trees, and shrubs to allow your greenery to enter their winter slumber comfortably and well nourished.
Touch up exterior paint.
Keep your home and outbuildings in good condition and protected from winter’s harsh weather by touching up your exterior paint where needed. A fresh coat of paint or sealer on surfaces that will be potentially covered with snow will protect your investment. Sooner is better for tackling these projects before the outside temperature dips below 45°-50°F.
Clean your gutters.
Let’s face it, during the fall, the trees shed their leaves. These gather not just on the ground but in the gutters as well, choking them and preventing them from draining. Clogged gutters can also cause water damage to your house if not maintained properly. Clean them out! Not sure how? Just follow these easy steps:
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean out gutters:
- Safety Precautions:
- Before you start, ensure you have a sturdy ladder and appropriate safety gear, including gloves and safety glasses.
- It’s also a good idea to have a friend or family member present to assist you and hold the ladder steady.
- Gather Your Tools:
- You’ll need a trowel or gutter scoop to remove debris from the gutter.
- A bucket or bag to collect the debris.
- A garden hose with a spray nozzle to flush out the gutter system.
- A small brush or scrubbing pad to remove stubborn dirt or residue.
Now on to the fun part…cleaning them out to prepare for fall
Here is a great video that shows how easy this can be:
How to Clean Them Out:
- 1. Position the Ladder:
- Place the ladder on stable ground and lean it against the house near the gutter you’ll be cleaning. Make sure the ladder extends at least three feet above the gutter line for stability.
- 2. Remove Debris:
- Start at one end of the gutter and work your way along its length. Use the trowel or gutter scoop to remove leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris. Place the debris in the bucket or bag.
- 3. Check Downspouts:
- Ensure that the downspouts are not clogged. You can use the trowel or your hand to remove any blockages. If necessary, use a plumber’s snake or a high-pressure nozzle on your garden hose to clear stubborn clogs.
Finish by:
- Flush the Gutters:
- Once you’ve removed most of the debris, use the garden hose to flush out the gutter system. Start at the end farthest from the downspout and work your way towards it. This will help push any remaining debris out of the gutter.
- Check for Leaks or Damage:
- While cleaning the gutters, inspect them for any signs of damage or leaks. Look for loose or damaged sections, sagging, or rust. Address any issues promptly to prevent further damage.
- Clean the Exterior:
- After cleaning the gutters, use the garden hose to rinse off any dirt or debris from the exterior of the gutter system and the fascia board.
- Dispose of Debris:
- Dispose of the collected debris properly, either by composting organic matter or disposing of it in the trash.
Regular Maintenance:
To prevent future clogs and damage, make gutter cleaning a regular part of your home maintenance routine. Aim to clean them at least twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall.
By following these easy fall preparedness tips and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, you can keep your home’s exterior maintained properly, protecting your home and yard from damage.
15 Easy Tips to Prepare for Fall:
There are a lot of tasks to do in the fall to prepare your home and property for the cold season. Let’s sum these up:
- Inspect windows and doors and add weatherstripping
- Schedule a checkup for your furnace
- Replace the furnace filter
- Inspect the gas lines and appliances
- Inspect your fireplace
- Inspect your wood stove
- Clean your carpets
- Check out your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Inspect your fire extinguishers
- Update Fire Safety Plans
- Protect your outdoor faucets
- Drain and store hoses
- Get your lawn ready for winter
- Touch up exterior paint and stain
- Clean your gutters
Being prepared for winter can be overwhelming with all the things there are to do. But breaking the process into manageable bite-size pieces makes it easy. We follow these easy fall preparedness tips to help us prepare and to help us stay warm in the winter. For more tips on staying warm in winter, click here. What do you do? Have other ideas? Let us know!
