The Ultimate Fall Prep List - Prepping Your Home For Fall

Prepping Your Home For Fall

Fall. It's truly one of our favorite seasons! Well to be honest, we say that about every season. There is something so refreshing about a new season, and all of the things it brings with it. Spring brings bright skies, spring storms, and blooming flowers. Summer brings all the outdoor fun, days at the lake, and cookouts with your favorite people. 

Some of our favorite things about fall include the nice medium in temperature, it's not too hot and it's not too cool. Visiting pumpkin patches, cozy evenings on the couch, fall rainstorms, hearty meals that warm the soul, the list could go on and on. Besides the nice weather that comes with it, fall signals the approaching holiday season. A time that brings family and friends together for fellowship and quality time.

With the fall season comes some other less desirable things (unless you are a lover of yard work and home maintenance),like prepping your home for the rainy and cool weather. But these things don't have to be a chore, and you don't have to drag your feet! We have created a the ultimate list to help you get your home prepared for fall!

The Ultimate Fall Prep List 

1. Cleaning out and repairing damaged gutters - You are probably so used to your gutters working properly and funneling thousands of gallons of water from your roof, that you forget they could probably use a little TLC. Clogged and damaged gutters can lead to interior and exterior water damage! Another way to create less hassle and easy clean up, is to install mesh coverings to prevent the build up of leaves and debris.

2. Remove any leaves sitting in low, tight, and flat areas on the roof - The amounts of rain that come with the fall weather will continue to saturate these clustered leaves over and over, and can ultimately lead to roof leaks and water damage. 

3. Check for drafts and replace weather stripping - Heat loss through windows is responsible for 25-30% of heating energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. BUT it doesn't have to be that way! Adding weather stripping is an easy and cost-effective way to keep energy costs down.                **PRO TIP: To check if you have a draft issue, close a door or window on a strip of paper. If it easily moves, you need to replace your weather                                  Weather Stripping - Amazon

4. Cover or store outdoor furniture - Let's be honest Texas is weather can be volatile, most Octobers we experience rain upon rain! Just because it is furniture intended for outdoor use doesn't mean that it cannot be damaged by non-stop rain and severe weather. 

5. Fertilize your lawn - You know what they say: The best offense is a good defense. If you want to keep your lawn looking amazing in the spring and summer, you need to prep it for fall and winter. Roots are still active even when the grass isn't growing, so applying fertilizer will prevent winter damage. Doing this will also help your lawn turn green faster in the spring, which is crucial for a happy lawn!

6. Test out any necessary winter equipment - If there are items that are a MUST have in your household for the winter, now is the time to test them and make sure they are functioning properly. You don't want to wait until the first cold snap to realize that your equipment isn't functioning!

7. Test out and replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors - This should be one of the top items on your list! This easy fix could literally be a life saver. 

8. Check your fireplace for damage, the occasional bird's nest, and cresote build up. If necessary have your chimney cleaned and serviced to prevent accidental fires.

9. Change the direction on your fans - Setting your fans to turn clockwise will help circulate warm air!

10. HVAC - Have your heating system serviced to ensure it is functioning and does not require any repairs, no one wants to be stuck without heat on a chilly night! Replacing and cleaning filters will also lower the work load of the unit, and help lower energy costs.

We hope that this list will help you determine a starting point on getting your home prepped for fall, and while we know there are many more items that need to be done these are just a few that we feel will make your life a little more easy! More articles to come feature our fall bucket list, and more prep to help you ready your home for winter.