7 tasks that will help protect your family and home—as well as keep you more comfortable—as the weather grows colder.

The days are now shorter and the nights cooler which means autumn is underway. For homeowners, this means giving their home a bit of TLC to ensure the safety and comfort of their family all winter long. While the weather is still mild, tackle these seven tasks.

Weatherstrip to keep the heat in and the cold out

Over time, seals around windows and doors deteriorate. Weatherstripping is a cost-effective way to keep your home’s temperature comfortable and save money on utilities. Get how-to tips from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Clear gutters to avoid future problems

There’s no denying the beauty of fall leaves but when they accumulate in gutters the results can be ugly. Clogged gutters can result in misdirected water that washes soil away from your foundation, seeps into your basement or crawlspace and creates roof-damaging ice-dams. Avoid these problems by keeping gutters clear so water can move away from your home as it should.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for safety

As the weather turns cooler, we start cooking more inside, turning up the heat and building fires. Ensure your family’s safety by testing all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If the batteries are more than a year old replace them. Also, replace smoke detectors after ten years and carbon monoxide detectors after five to seven.

Get the HVAC and chimney serviced

Before the really cold weather blows in, have your furnace serviced. A professional tune-up will include an inspection of the controls, wiring, filters, fans, belts and motors. Your technician can also identify problems before you’re left in the cold. A well-maintained furnace helps save money in the short-run by ensuring the unit runs at peak efficiency and in the long-run by extending furnace life.

Should you face major furnace repairs or a replacement, remember you can use a home equity line of credit for financing.

If you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected. A professional chimneysweep can do the job quickly and with no mess. If they see cracks or other problems, you can fix them before they lead to bigger problems like carbon monoxide poisoning or a fire.

Turn off outside water

Do you remember this middle-school lesson: water expands when it freezes. Too many homeowners have learned the hard way that expanding water in pipes cause them to burst. Avoid learning this homeowner lesson first-hand! Disconnect hoses from outside spigots and turn off their water supply.

If you have a sprinkler system, shut off its water supply and drain the system; often this is facilitated by blowing out the lines with compressed air. This can be a DIY job or one outsourced to a sprinkler company.

Prune trees and shrubs

Take a look around your house to inspect the trees and shrubs. Did any summer growth result in branches overhanging the roof or rubbing on the house? Will snow or ice weigh them down so they make contact with the structure? Trim overgrown branches before they cause damage.

Get winter tools ready

Every task goes faster when the right tools are easily accessible. Prepare for winter’s snow and ice by putting the snow shovel and deicer in a convenient place before the snow flies.

If you have a snowblower start it up to ensure it’s running properly. If it’s not, have it serviced now. Your service technician won’t be backed up now like they will after the first snowfall.

 

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