Preparing Your Home And Yard For The Cold Months
Winter is right around the corner. If you're a home owner like I am, there are a few things you'll need to do before Jack Frost moves in for the winter months.
When I was a renter, I didn't think twice about any of these things. Taking steps to winterize your home now could save you a ton of money down the road.
- 1
Tune up your heating system/ change furnace filters
There's nothing worse than realizing your heating system doesn't work when it comes time to use it. If you get your heating system checked up now, you'll skip a really long waiting list this winter if it does go out. This is also the time to change out your furnace filters.
- 2
Trim up your landscaping and turn off outside faucets
Cut back trees that are within five feet of your home. You'll want to make sure you're preventing any sort of fire hazard. Most house fires happen in the winter months. Also, make sure that you drain and shut off any faucets outside of your home. Water will freeze the pipes and they could burst.
- 3
Make sure your furniture isn't blocking the vents
It might be time to rearrange your room to ensure that your furniture isn't blocking any vents. Also, close any vents in your crawl spaces. Heating this area unless you frequently use it is a waste.
- 4
Air out your home
In the fall you should be opening your windows as much as you can to let out all of the toxins that have built up over the summer when you were running your AC. You don't want them to stay in your home all winter, it's not healthy.
- 5
Keep watering AND mowing your lawn
My boyfriend keeps saying "it's just that time of year. The lawn is going to be brown." Although I do love him, he's dead wrong. Your last two cuts of the summer should be on a super low setting so that the sun can actually reach the crown of the grass.
- 6
Fertilize/Cover bald spots
Many lawn care experts say that you should fertilize your lawn once a year and do so in the fall. The reason? Grass blades grow slower when it's cooler, but the roots continue to grow fast.
- 7
The time to kill weeds is now
Weeds will be taking in more water and sunlight. Weeds will absorb the weed killer like a sponge in the fall.
- 8
Check your alarms
Make sure that your smoke detectors and CO detectors are working. Many people are also getting radon detectors in their home. Figure out what's best for your family and take a plan of action.