Autumn Home Improvements
Autumn is right around the corner so it is best to get prepared now rather than waiting until the last minute.
Although this is a beautiful season, it can also be a huge transition coming out of summer.
There are so many simple and affordable home improvements to get you through this season and ready for winter which will arrive much quicker than you think.
--------------------------------------------------
Lightbulbs: Replace your current lightbulbs in your home with high-efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs (if you are not already using them) before the cooler temperatures begin to come through your area.
These light bulbs will use less energy which will help you spend less money this season.
-------------
Caulk: Caulk can be a huge money saver in the cooler months.
Take some time out of your day to caulk around your windows and door frames to trap the heat in your home and to prevent dirt and moisture from making its way through the cracks.
Any time you repaint a room in your home, make sure to caulk up any holes that may be in your walls as well.
-------------
Outside Repair: Something as simple as washing/power washing yours windows and shutters can make a world of difference to the outside of your home.
Autumn is the perfect time to check for missing, damaged or loose shingles on your roof and also painting the exterior of your home.
Make sure you go ahead and clean out all of your gutters as well because as you know, leaves fall like crazy during this beautiful season!
Also, be sure that you are trimming and pulling down all of those dead branches out of your trees before they fall and cause damage during a winter storm.
-------------
...End of Season Tip:
Turn off the valves to the exterior hose bibs to prevent exterior water pipes from bursting once temperatures get below freezing!...
-------------
Furnace Inspection: Contact your local heating specialist to come inspect and service your gas heater or furnace to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, make sure you clean and/or replace your filters as well. It couldn’t hurt to go ahead and stock up on filters for the upcoming cold months. Make sure to check your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms and put in new batteries. You can never be too safe when it comes to either of these alarms, they have saved numerous lives. If you are not familiar with carbon monoxide, it is a byproduct of burning oil or natural gas and can be incredibly deadly. This is why it is so important to upkeep your alarms. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and install near any potential source of carbon monoxide and within ear-shot of living and sleeping areas.
-------------
Raking: Rake up all of those thick layers of leaves that you find have nested on your lawn. If you leave leaves on your lawn, especially if they are wet, not only will they kill your grass, but they can cause insect problems below them as well. This is why it is a good idea to get into the routine of raking them often. Or, if you have a mulching mower you can just run right over them.
You want to make sure that you dispose of your leaves properly. Put all of your raked leaves into a compost pile or keep them and they can used as mulch later on. You don’t want to waste fallen leaves because they are a great source of nutrients to the ground. If you have decided to use the leaves as mulch, put them into your flower beds to make a “winter blanket” for your garden.
-------------
Attic: Check your attic to make sure that all of your insulation has been installed properly. The vapor barrier on your insulation should face downward toward your living space.
If this is not the case in your attic, you need to get in touch with a professional immediately to get this fixed before the cold months approach. If they cannot get to you quickly, make sure and cut slits in the vapor barrier to prevent water problems due to moisture being trapped.
Try not to get behind this upcoming Winter season and take advantage of Autumn's beauty to spend some time outside improving areas of your home.
