Getting Ready For Winter: Jobs To Do This Fall

Winter is almost here. And that means that the temperatures will start to dip down into single figures and the nights will start getting a lot darker. It also means that there are some jobs you need to do around your home now so that it is ready for winter. This will help you feel comfortable throughout the harsher weather. And it is a good idea to get to these jobs in the next few weeks while there is still plenty of natural light to work in. So what do you need to sort out soon? Here are some of the best jobs you should be doing this fall.

 

Check Your Heating System

 

You won’t be a very happy bunny if you get to winter, and you find out that your heating system isn’t working. So now is the perfect time to check your heating system. The easiest way to do this is to simply turn the heating on one day and see if it works as it should do. Listen out for any unusual noises. These could be a sign that something is faulty in the system. Some heating systems will need to be serviced every so often. Try and do this at least once a year. You will need to call out a professional to come and service the system for you. A proper heating firm will also be able to fix any issues that you have with your system. You can find out more about this at Academy Air.

 

Upgrade Your Gutters
One of the main features of fall is all the red and yellow leaves that cover the sidewalks and make September and October feel extremely autumnal. But, unfortunately, all these pretty leaves will also fall into your gutters. If they stay in there for too long, they will block the gutters. Water will eventually run down the walls of your property rather than down the drainpipe. If you leave this for a long time, your property could suffer from water damage. Therefore, it is very important to get up a ladder and clear out all your gutters. If your gutters are fairly old, it could be worth upgrading them. When you are adding new gutters, add as many extensions as possible to encourage water to run down away from the property.

Buy A Snow Blower

 

It is always necessary to prepare for the possibility of a particularly bad snowstorm. Especially if you live in areas that often get a lot of snow through the winter months. There is nothing worse than waking up to find your car is blocked in on your drive by all the snow. So next time you are at your local home and DIY store, see if they have a snowblower. These will make clearing your drive much easier than relying on just a shovel. An excellent snow blower will allow you to clear your drive in a matter of minutes, so you can free your car in no time at all no matter how much snow there is!

 

Fix Cracks In Concrete

 

Have you noticed that your concrete driveway or the concrete patio has developed some cracks? This is perfectly normal and is to be expected from areas of concrete that are fairly old. This won’t be much of an issue during warm months, but you should try and make some time to fill it with a sealer or a concrete caulk. If you leave these cracks through the winter, water that gets into them could freeze during particularly cold periods. As water freezes, it expands. And as the frozen water expands inside the cracks, it will result in the crack being forced open and getting bigger. Multiple freezes and thaws can cause cracks to get extremely big. You don’t want your concrete to develop too many cracks in it and become unsightly. So make sure you spend one day filling in all the concrete cracks. Picking the perfect caulk is hard. See TheTooly.Com for choosing the best caulk for your job.

Drain Outdoor Hoses And Water Lines

 

Just like frozen water can cause havoc with all the cracks in your concrete flooring, so too can it be a pain if it freezes in outdoor hoses and water lines. While your hoses are outside, they will be exposed to outdoor temperatures which will be a lot colder than those in your shed. If you can’t store your hoses and water lines in your shed or other outbuildings, you need to make sure the water is all drained out of them. Otherwise, the water will freeze in them, expand, and can cause the lines and hoses to burst. Once you have drained all the water out of these lines and hoses, be sure that you turn your outdoor source of water completely off as well. If you don’t do this, water could leak into your hose, and it might end up bursting even if you have drained it.

Bring Garden Furniture Inside

 

Make sure that you clean your garden furniture now that summer is over. This is especially important if the furniture is wooden. It is also worth painting your wooden garden furniture to give it a quick coat of a wood sealant. This will ensure that the wood can retain its high quality while it is in storage. After you have cleaned it and the sealant has dried, all the furniture needs to go away into storage. It should be perfectly fine stored in your shed. Be sure to cover it with a dust sheet to make sure it doesn’t get too dusty. This will also prevent rats and mice from nibbling on the wood.

 

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

 

Did you know that you should reverse the direction of your ceiling fans over winter? By doing so, they will push the warm air in the room into the middle or each room rather than creating a light summer’s breeze. Not only will this keep your rooms warmer, but it will also help you to reduce your heating bill as you won’t be so reliant on your heating system.