With summer winding down and the temperatures starting to drop, it’s time to get your home ready for fall’s cooler temperatures. Below are six tips to help you begin your fall preparation:
Clean out your gutters.
Remove debris from your gutters. Clogs can cause all sorts of issues in the long run, so don’t take this lightly. Whether you do this on your own or hire a professional, the sooner the better.
Care for your lawn and equipment.
Most experts agree that putting fertilizer on your lawn during the cooler months will protect it and give it new life faster when it warms up next spring. Additionally, after your final cut, clean all your lawn equipment and dump out all the gas or oil used, which may gum up over time and harm your equipment.
Drain and turn off outdoor faucets and sprinklers.
As fall begins to give way to Old Man Winter, a way to avoid frozen pipes is to drain all your outdoor open faucets and run your sprinkler system to drain it. Also, disconnect and store your outdoor hoses and turn off your outdoor water supply.
Make the switch to heat.
Turn on the heater in your home on a cool night–just for about 10 minutes. Be sure it’s working properly and call a professional for assistance if it’s not. Change all of the filters in your home to prepare for the coming months. If you have a portable A/C unit, clean and cover it until it warms back up.
Clean out your fireplace and chimney.
Even if you only use your fireplace occasionally, it’s still a good idea to clean it after not using it for long periods of time. And if you have a gas fireplace, you’ll still want to inspect and clean out the flue–just make sure it’s clear of any debris and cracks. You’ll need to hire a professional to do this, but the cost should not be substantial.
Get prepared for snow and ice.
Make sure your snow shovels are readily available and your snow blower is in working order. You may also want to purchase ice melt now so you’ll be ready when the first storm hits.
Your home is one of your biggest investments; make sure that you take care of it no matter what time of the year. If you need to make repairs or updates to your home, there are options available, such as an equity credit line. Stop by a BancorpSouth location to learn more.
