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If you haven’t noticed the leaves changing colors or the cold front rolling in, then you must be living under a rock! It seems like mother nature flipped the fall switch on, since these last few days the temperature has slowly dropped, and the leaves have started to fall. In the northwest, the fall season can always be a little finicky you never know if it’s going to be a beautiful crisp day or if the rain will come pouring down. That’s why we in the PNW are always prepared with stylish rain boots, breathable rain jackets and great sweaters to layer. So why not help your home be prepared for the winter months to come with some simple steps now. We put together our tips and tricks to get your house ready this fall. Start your fall projects early as the weather will only get colder and wetter as the season goes on; before you know it Thanksgiving will be upon us.
Exterior:
Clean out your gutters: This is always a pain but necessary, in the Seattle area. If you are unable to reach certain areas or worried about your safety; we recommend hiring a service to come to clean out your gutters. If you have a trusty ladder and feel up to the task; try cleaning out those pesky gutters on a clear day, windless day to make it easier on yourself.
Sweep walkways and porches: This is very important to do especially before the trick or treaters hit the pavement. Its essential during the fall after the leaves have fallen to sweep away before the next rainfall; because once the leaves are wet on the pavement they can be very slippery and even dangerous.
Interior:
Check and prepare your furnace: First check the furnace to see if it still working properly and all the ducts are still functional, and nothing is broken. If there is anything structurally wrong with your furnace or thermostat I would call the manufacturer or home improvement store to help solve the issue. Clean and replaces any furnace filters if needed. Lastly, if everything seems to be in order and checked, set your thermostat (optimal temperature is 68 to 74 degrees) to start relaxing in your perfectly heated home.
Insulate windows and attic: by insulating these areas will prevent cold drafts throughout the house. Make sure your attic is insulated with non-toxic materials to keep you and your family healthy and safe. Many modern homes have insulated window treatments, but older homes require additional insulation like plastic strips or other sealing agents which can be found at most any home improvement store.
Now don’t forget your friends down at the neighborhood hardware store. If you have any immediate questions on how to prepare your home for the winter, call or head on down to a Home Depot, Lowes, Fred Meyer or an ACE hardware store to get detailed and quick info on all your fall projects. Once you have your home all ready for winter then you can curl up with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and a great book and simply relax.
