With Fall only being a month away and winter coming shortly after, it’s time to start thinking about our homes and getting them ready for the cooler temperatures both inside and out. This past weekend my husband and I finally got around to a little DIY (Do It Yourself) project that we’ve been wanting to do since we moved in – painting our front door. It only took us three years to get it done – but hey – it sure feels good to check things off the list!
After getting that done, it made us think of what other improvements or changes we can make to our house to make it more durable for the coming weather. Not that painting a front door makes a house more durable, but improvements in general are good for the home.
Some other things you could check off the list this Fall on the exterior of your home is taking a good look at your roof. Are there any rough patches that could use some TLC? Or maybe it’s time to get new shingles all over. If you have siding on your house, give that a good look to see if there are any weak spots where moisture could come through or even unwanted creatures. You can also give your gutters a clean (something good to do after the leaves have fallen), turn off your exterior water outlets, and get your landscaping/gardens winter-ready.
In the interior of your home, it is a good idea to check for weakening windows/doors for drafts. It’s easier to do this on a windy day while holding a candle or lighter around the edges of your windows/doors – if the flame flickers, it’s time to repair. It’s also a good time to have your furnace serviced and get your air conditioner ready for the winter. While you’re at it, change your air filter and check that all the batteries in your smoke/carbon detectors are in working order.
With all this in mind, enjoy these last few weeks of summer too!
