Getting Your Home Ready for Fall
As the leaves begin to turn, many homeowners begin making their fall home improvement lists in preparation for the coming months ahead.
It’s important that your home is in great shape while also functional and safe for your family. Winterizing items around the exterior of your home is a critical step. This preventive maintenance will help you avoid costly repairs.
Below are just a few fall home improvement ideas to prepare your home for the upcoming cooler temperatures:
Clean the Gutters for Fall Home Improvement
Clogged gutters can cause a whole host of problems from insects to structural damage. Clogs prevent the gutters from diverting rain and snow away from the home. Safely clear out your gutters of any leaves and debris during the fall months to avoid issues in the future.
Remove and Drain All Outdoor Hoses
Flush water through your hoses and hang them up to drain completely. Turn off exterior water faucets and drain the pipes so that they’re empty and not at risk of freezing and bursting over winter.
Pressure Wash the Exterior of Your Home
Use a pressure washer to remove cobwebs, dirt, and grime from the exterior of your home for fall home improvement. Focus on the northern facing exterior wall as this tends to be more susceptible to algae.
For stubborn stains, make your own cleaner from a mix of water, white vinegar, and dish soap for additional cleaning power. Always test an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t lift the color of your siding before treating the entire home.
Clear Flower Beds for Fall Home Improvement
Remove leaves and dead plants from your flower beds for fall home improvement. To keep flower beds looking tidy over the fall and winter months, use a rake or leaf blower to keep them clean during fall.
If you live in an area where maple, birch, ash, beech, or any nut or fruit tree varieties grow, rake the leaves into piles for gardening next year as they make for excellent compost.
Clean Your Outdoor Lighting and Replace Any Blown Bulbs
Fall is the perfect time to take down the outdoor light fixtures and clean off any dust and insects that have collected throughout the summer months. Carefully remove the globes and use a soft cloth and an old toothbrush to get into those hard-to-reach areas. A mild mixture of warm water, dish soap, and white vinegar will get the glass globes streak-free. Don’t forget to change any broken or blown bulbs while you’re at it.
By following these simple fall home improvement ideas, your property will be in great shape throughout the fall and winter months ahead.
Precision Home Inspectors serves Hampton Roads of Virginia and the surrounding areas with home inspection services. Contact us to book an appointment.