Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home and family for the winter season. Be sure to follow these tips to freshen and weatherproof your home for the upcoming cooler temps. We’ve even provided you with a helpful checklist to make the process as easy as possible.
INTERIOR
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Hire Professional Services
Have your heater or furnace inspected and serviced correctly before usage. Hire help to deep clean your furniture or carpet if you would like to remove bacteria, smells, pollutants and allergens.
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Clear Your Entryway
Make it easy for your family to store and grab jackets, keys, shoes, and bags with useful storage areas and a clean cleared entry. Need ideas for storage? Check out our Drop Zone article for some inspiration.
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Store Foods
Freeze any foods or greens that you want to enjoy in the winter.
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Replace Air Conditioning Filters & Clean Humidifiers
Improve the airflow in your home by changing A/C filters to improve energy efficiency and support your family’s health.
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Safety First
Replace batteries or install smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure fire extinguishers are regularly inspected and up-to-date. Check and correct for any safety hazards inside and outside the home, such as getting rid of stacks of newspapers, cleaning gutters, or draining a lawn mower full of gasoline.
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Organize/De-Clutter
Throw away expired foods and donate unused clothing or items. Organize and de-clutter your closets, attic, spice cabinet, drawers, shed, garage, and refrigerator.
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Wash/Wipe Down Your Home
Clean and sanitize your counters, walls, and windows in each room.
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Dust
Dust electronics and furniture. This includes your TV, PC, printer, window sills, bookcases, light fixtures, & ceiling fans.
EXTERIOR
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Weatherproof your Windows, Doors, and Roof
Check for drafts or any cracks and holes. Weatherstrip and caulk any areas near doors, windows, and roof to keep the heat in and cold weather out.
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Store Away Outdoor Items
Clean, cover, and store your outdoor furniture, grills, clean and cover the pool. Turn off the faucet, drain, disconnect, clean, and store your garden hose to prevent it from splitting.
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Clean Gutters & Downspouts
Check for blockage, leaks, security of the pipes, and repair if necessary.
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Drain Sprinkler/Irrigation System
Prevent damage and broken systems by draining the system.
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Transport Plants & Clean Pots
Move your plants indoors before the weather gets too cold. It is recommended to move them before it reaches 40°F.
INSPECT, INSPECT, INSPECT
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Check the Conditions Outside
Make sure stairs and railings are stable, replace outdoor light bulbs, paint, or roof shingles if necessary.
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Trim Bushes & Trees
Trim branches of foliage and prune hedges that touch the siding of your home.
Have a safe and happy fall! If you have any other tips, please share with us in the comments section below.