Here’s what you need to know for the months ahead…
Tips for Late Summer
With (slightly) cooling temperatures and plenty of sunny days, this is the perfect time to wrap up any remaining outdoor projects such as cleaning, painting, construction, and repairs.
Look around your property for dead or overgrown brush that could be blocking pathways. Clear clinging plants that have attached themselves to walls or steps. Those plants can compromise the integrity of structures and allow water in.
Are there branches growing too close to your house? Are there dead trees or large limbs anywhere on your property? Have them removed. In the event of a storm, they could come down and causing damage or injury.
Do you have some indoor projects you’d like help with? Contractors have been kept busy during the summer months, but now is a great time to reach out for bids and get indoor work scheduled for the fall and winter. It’s always best to get two or more bids for large projects, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to contact companies and have them draw up your estimates.
Pack up outdoor toys, furniture, and equipment that you won’t need once the summer is over. Sweep and soft wash your garage so it’s nice and clean.
Tips for Early Fall
You might be sick of gardening by this point, but it’s a good time to plant perennials such as peonies or hydrangea. Trees and shrubs can also be planted at this time. Be sure to give your new plants plenty of water before the dormant season. Plant bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinth anytime before the ground freezes.
Reseeding/overseeding your lawn is also best done in the fall season. Aerating your lawn is an essential annual task that’s also best done in the fall. If you’re going to aerate yourself, be sure to rent a machine that actually removes plugs of soil rather than one that just pokes holes in the ground.
Once the leaves start falling, the raking begins…or the mowing continues! Allowing leaves to lay on your lawn could smother your grass and lead to mold growth, so do your best to stay on top of this routine task. Mulching your leaves once per week allows nutrients to return to the soil. Raked leaves can be used as a natural mulch under shrubs and trees or in garden beds.
For the final mowing of the season, once your leaves are cleared from the lawn, it’s time to cut the grass short. Set your mower to cut at around 1.5 or 2 inches tall. In our colder climate, this will reduce the chance of mold forming.
When you’re ready to put away your hoses for winter, be sure to allow all the water to drain out of them so they don’t freeze and split when the temps drop. Drain and shut off your outdoor faucets, then seal them with an insulated faucet cover.
After all the leaves have fallen, have your gutters cleaned and inspected. Clogs in downspouts can be cleared with a plumber’s snake, if necessary. Any gutter repairs should be handled before old man winter comes. This is also a good time to inspect your roof for any loose or broken tiles and address any issues you find.
Colder months is the time when critters seek shelter from the frigid temperatures, and your warm property may be just the place they choose. Mice, rats, cockroaches, spiders, raccoons, and squirrels may find their way through small gaps in walls and basements. Walk your property and check for places they could get in. Set traps in basements and crawl spaces and talk to your exterminator about preventative measures for bugs.
If you plan to use your fireplace this winter, stock up on seasoned firewood now. Avoid stacking firewood on moist ground, and be sure to pack the logs loosely to allow for good airflow.
If you did not get your chimney cleaned and inspected in the spring, call a chimney sweep now and have it done before you start using your fireplace or your furnace.
Have your furnace serviced in the early fall, and check your ductwork if needed. A clean system will be more energy efficient, and an inspection will alert you to problems. Check and replace air filters on a regular basis. Test your thermostat to make sure it works properly. Make sure heating vents are open and nothing is blocking them.
When the temperatures drop, walk around your house and check for drafts around your windows and doors. Caulk door and window frames where necessary. Install storm windows and the glass panel on storm doors to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned annually by an HVAC specialist who specializes in ductwork or dryer vents. Doing so will lower the risk of fire and help your dryer to operate efficiently.
There’s no harm in checking your detectors twice a year, so when you turn your clocks back to standard time, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, too. Change the batteries as needed.
It may seem a bit early, but early fall is a good time to prepare your home for snowfall. If you have a snow blower, make sure it’s in good working order and ready for winter. Repair or replace any worn parts. Pick up ice melt from the store before everyone else is trying to buy it.
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