How can you tell the end of summer is approaching? It’s the time to start planning your home improvements, of course! Fall’s cooler temperatures are just right for improving your comfort and energy efficiency, giving you plenty of reasons to get outside with your tools and tackle a project or two before the season ends. It is time for the leaves to change colors, and the weather is starting to turn colder. Do you have your home ready for these changing seasons? Here are some home improvements that you can make before fall ends:
-Clean out your gutters so there are no clogs from leaves or other debris. -Pull down your window air conditioners and clean them so they will be ready for use when it gets cooler outside. -Check that all of your windows and doors are weather-tight. -Inspect your roof shingles and make any necessary repairs before winter. -Move furniture away from walls and take a look at any cracks in plaster, ensuring they are sealed with caulk if needed. -If you haven’t already installed new batteries in your smoke detectors, now’s the time to do it! -Install storm windows if you haven’t already done so. Storm windows are designed to fit tightly against your regular window frames and cover the entire area of glass. They are made of acrylic which means that they won’t corrode like metal does. They also have the added benefit of acting as a layer of insulation so you’ll be able to save money on your heating bill this winter. If you live in an older house with single-pane windows, installing storm windows could lower your utility bills by up to 10%! With such affordable prices available for installation services (such as ours) don’t wait until the snow starts falling before you get these items taken care of. Call today and set up an appointment so we can help keep your family safe this season!
Inspect Your Roof
The first thing you should do when considering fall home improvement projects is take a good look at your roof. Any leaks or damage that may have occurred over the summer need to be addressed before it starts raining again. Leaks and cracks can cause structural damage, not just water damage. The best time of day to inspect your roof is in the morning before the sun comes up and the heat starts building up on top of your house. You’ll want to wear protective clothing like gloves, boots and a hardhat while doing this inspection. Use the checklist below to help identify potential problems with your roof:
- Are there any visible holes? • Does any shingle seem loose? • Are there any missing shingles? • Is there any standing water under the drip line?
- Are there any raised edges or buckling near chimneys or skylights? If you see anything out of place during your inspection, consult a contractor as soon as possible to get any repairs made. If nothing seems wrong then you might want to invest in an annual roof maintenance service for protection against future weather-related issues.
Inspect and Clean Your Fireplace
A major home improvement project you can do before the end of fall is inspect and clean your fireplace. Fireplaces are a great way to make your house feel more cozy and inviting in the fall, but they also need a lot of upkeep. Inspect the chimney for cracks or loose bricks, then use a wire brush to clean out any ash that has accumulated.
If you’re lucky enough to have a gas fireplace, all you need is some lighter fluid, newspaper and matches to get it going again. If not, simply shut the damper so no smoke comes out when there isn’t a fire inside it. Change the Battery in Your Smoke Alarm: It’s important to change your battery in your smoke alarm every six months, because otherwise the unit could malfunction when you need it most. Now would be a good time to buy new ones if needed.
Have an Electrician Come Check out Your Electrical System: Another important home improvement task before winter is checking over your electrical system. If you haven’t already had one done this year, call an electrician right away to come check out your wiring? You should always consult with professionals about changing anything about your wiring, as it’s very dangerous work that should only be performed by professionals who know what they’re doing.
Cut Down Any Trees That Might Pose A Danger To Your House: There may be trees on your property that could pose a danger to your house or roof during winter storms. Get rid of them while they still have leaves on them so they don’t block the sunlight from coming into your house. Get an Arborist based on how much work needs to be done, which will help guide whether you want to go ahead with cutting down those trees or hire someone else to take care of it. If you’re tackling the job yourself, put up yellow caution tape first to keep people out of the area where you’re working, and start at least ten feet back from any other buildings so falling branches don’t damage them.
Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes, gloves and ear plugs or earmuffs (or both) to protect against getting hit with flying debris. Be careful not to cut through wires that might power other structures like streetlights or nearby houses, and always wear closed-toe shoes to protect your toes. Some communities offer tree-trimming services, including chipping/disposal service – find out what’s available in yours!
Service Your HVAC System
It’s a good idea to service your HVAC system before the cold weather sets in because it will keep your system running more efficiently when the temperature drops. A thorough inspection of all your ducts and components is recommended, as well as cleaning out any debris or obstructions that have accumulated over time. If you can’t take care of this yourself, hiring an HVAC company for routine maintenance is always a great idea. They’ll make sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently through the changing seasons. You’ll feel better knowing that your heating and cooling are reliable year-round.
Control Your Weeds
It’s hard enough to keep up with the weeds in your backyard during the summer. But as fall approaches, it will be even more difficult to keep your yard looking nice and weed-free. If you don’t want your garden looking like a jungle, start now and control those weeds. The best way to do this is by pulling them out by hand or spraying them with weed killer.
Take Care of Your Hoses: Water hoses need maintenance just like any other part of your home; they break down over time, and in the process can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Check all your hoses once a month and make sure there are no leaks. Replace any that show signs of wear or tear. Mow Your Lawn: Keep lawns healthy year-round by mowing at least twice each month. In the fall, use fertilizer so the grass stays green when it starts to get cold outside.
Putting away Patio Furniture
Fall is quickly approaching, and with it comes cooler temperatures and changing leaves. Many people choose this time of year to remove their patio furniture from outside. Others use the fall months as a time to replace or repair their old furniture pieces, as this can often be less expensive than doing so during the summer months.
There are several tips for properly storing your patio furniture for the winter months: Covering items in plastic will help protect them from the rain and snow that’s common at this time of year. It’s also important to keep covers on items overnight so they’re not exposed to moisture which could cause mold or mildew growth. If you want to store some outdoor furniture inside for the season, check out these additional storage tips. To avoid scratches or damage, place a blanket over the item and slide it into a rubberized mat. If possible, store items in an area where there is no direct sunlight to prevent fading. After preparing your Patio Furniture for cold weather ahead, enjoy a relaxing autumn evening with friends!
Repainting
Do you feel like your house needs a fresh coat of paint? Painting is a great home improvement project that can make your home look new and updated. Get the old paint chips off, roll out the drop cloths, and paint away! With fall just around the corner, repainting may be just what your house needs before winter sets in. The best part is that painting doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you’ve got a ladder, some paint brushes and maybe even some time on your hands, it’s worth giving it a try. It’s not always easy to find free time during the week but if you’re willing to put in a little bit of work at night or on weekends, we think it’ll be worth it.
Replacing Windows
In the fall, replacing your windows is a popular home improvement project. In addition to making your home more comfortable and energy efficient, it also makes them look nicer. One of the best parts about window replacements is that they are a DIY-friendly project that you can do yourself with our help from qualified professionals. Our team will work with you on what type of replacement windows will work best for your space and budget. If you’re looking to replace all of your home’s windows, we offer different packages so you can choose which ones will be most cost effective for you. We’ll get started right away once we have a date set in stone!
Gutter Cleaning
It’s never a bad idea to think about doing some cleaning on your home. One thing you can do is gutter cleaning. Gutter cleaning is important because it helps make sure that water can get away from the house and not collect around the foundation, which could lead to mold or mildew problems. Plus, if you don’t clean your gutters out, leaves and other debris will build up in them which could clog them up and cause water damage. But this isn’t an easy task for most people, so we recommend hiring a professional service to take care of this for you.
Cleaning Carpets
One of the best ways to freshen up your home before winter is by thoroughly cleaning your carpets. You can buy a good quality carpet cleaner at most stores, or you can rent one from a local hardware store. The rental option is perfect if you have a small space that needs attention or if you are looking for something cheaper. When cleaning carpets, it’s important to make sure that they are completely dry before replacing furniture and other items on them.
In addition, remember not to use bleach or any other harsh chemicals when washing your carpets. Cleaning hardwood floors: Now is also an ideal time to clean and polish those hardwood floors! You’ll need some white vinegar (or lemon juice), a bucket of water, some dish soap, a microfiber cloth or rag and an old toothbrush for scrubbing grout. Mix all these ingredients together in the bucket and then wet the floor with water.
Use a cloth to spread the mixture evenly over your wood floors and allow it to sit for five minutes. Then buff off the excess liquid using the microfiber towel. If there are stubborn stains, gently scrub them away with the toothbrush. Rinse with warm water and let your floor air-dry for 12 hours. Once again, never use bleach when cleaning hardwood floors. And if your floor has been sealed, be sure to check with the manufacturer to see if any type of sealant should be used before applying a new coating.
Fixing Your Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt driveways are fairly common, but they do require some regular maintenance. One of the most important things you can do to keep your asphalt driveway in good shape is sealing it. Sealants protect the surface from moisture and damage from things like rocks and tree roots that could potentially lead to cracks or potholes. You’ll also want to patch any holes before winter sets in.
Additionally, now would be a great time to think about resurfacing the area if it’s been more than five years since your last installation. There’s no better time than the present! Resurfacing an asphalt driveway not only protects against water and wear-and-tear, but it will also make the process of resealing easier in a few years.
A Quick Wrap
It’s that time of year again. Leaves are starting to change color, which signifies the end of summer and the beginning of fall. There are a few home improvements that should be made before this season ends. In order to prepare for winter, have your furnace serviced to ensure it is running properly. Additionally, make sure any screens on windows or doors are securely fastened so they don’t blow away in the wind. Have your roof inspected by a professional and replace any shingles as needed. If you’re looking for some last minute home improvement projects for your garden, plant some winter flowers such as pansies or crocuses now! These plants will give off beautiful colors next spring and will help keep the ground from becoming too hard during the cold months.
Consider getting rid of clutter around your house, too. Empty out cabinets, drawers and closets to find items that haven’t been used in years and get them out of your home. You can then donate these items at a nearby thrift store or throw them away if they’ve been damaged or are unusable.
Finally, take some time to sit down with your family and create a plan for holiday traditions. Discuss what activities you would like to do as a family this December and how often. Once everyone has agreed upon a plan, put it into action so you don’t forget anything come December 1st!