As the summer starts to wind down and the days get shorter and cooler, it is time to start to prepare the home for the fall and winter to come. End of summer home maintenance will guarantee that you will be prepared for the fall, winter, and spring to come.
During the summer, many homeowners concentrate on the lawn and the flowers and plants. As these start to die off, it is time to take a look at all the maintenance tasks that may have been neglected all summer.
Here are a few tips to help you do your end of the summer home maintenance.
Starting from the top of the house, it is important to check the chimney and make sure that it is in good repair and that it is clean. This may require bringing in a professional chimney cleaner. This is a very important part of the maintenance because it is can really be a life saver. No one wants to have a house fire caused by a chimney that has been neglected. The roof also needs to be given a once-over to make sure there are no loose shingles or tiles and to make sure the flashing is all in good condition.
The next thing to take a look at is the gutters. Fall brings more rain and then the leaves so it is important that everything is cleared out of the gutters. This can be done quite simply by placing a hose in the gutter and running water at full pressure through it. It can also be done with a power washer.
When it comes to the windows, it is the perfect time to remove the screens and place the windows back in. This can also be done on storm doors at this time. If you have older windows, check the caulking and the insulation around the window to help keep the warmth in during the cooler weather that is coming. While you are at it, you might as well wash the windows, it is amazing what a difference that makes to the look of your home.
Once it is time to turn off the air conditioners, they should be removed from the windows if you have that sort and the filters cleaned. If you have central air, the filter on the main unit should be changed and the unit prepared to be turned off for the year.
Check the vent on your dryer and stove hood. Double check any heating units that you have and also arrange for a cleaning of your furnace. You want it to be working at maximum performance during the winter months.
Go up to the attic and take a look at your insulation. Check the weather stripping on your doors. You don’t want to waste any of your precious heat with the cost of fuel these days.
Bring in any summer plants and trim back any plants that need to be prepared for the fall and winter. If you have fruit trees or bushes, clean up any fruit that may have fallen on the ground.
It is time to put away all your gardening equipment. You may still want to plant some bulbs but for the most part, the work is done. Place the hose in a location where it won’t freeze, winterize your lawn mower once you have done your last cutting and weed your flower beds.
Once you have completed your end of the summer maintenance you can sit back and relax for at least a few weeks until the leaves start to fall and it all the work starts again.
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