The season is changing. Cool, crisp mornings are already here, yet we’re still weeks away from the official start of autumn. This is a reminder to get your fall chores done before Old Man Winter comes for his annual visit.
Start with your outdoor tasks, before it gets really chilly, then work your way indoors. Complete these chores now, and you’ll have more time to be warm and cozy this winter.
What will help you get ready? Let’s take a look.
Winterize your outdoor power equipment
Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash
Soon the grass will go dormant and mowing season will end. Once mowing is done for the year, this is a great time to schedule your mower for service. During the spring and summer months, small engine repair shops are swamped with customers. Fall and winter not so much.
Take your mower to the shop or have it picked up for service. While it’s in the shop get them to sharpen the blades, change the oil, and if a few seasons have passed, change the spark plugs.
When your mower is returned, winterize the fuel by adding Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer according to directions. This helps keep fuel viable during the cold, dormant months, and it helps protect your carburetor.
Finally, remove the battery and store it indoors during the cold winter months. Before you put it back in (if possible) give it a trickle charge to bring it up to speed before starting it again in the spring.
NOTE: You can use Sta-Bil products in two-stroke weed eaters, as well. Be sure to follow directions carefully.
Your mind is in the gutter!
“The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold…”
– Autumn Leaves, sung by Nat King Cole, composed by Joseph Kosma, John Mercer and Jacques Prevert
Those autumn leaves are so beautiful. They are the best part of the fall season. But everything beautiful has a flip side, and those leaves can clog up your gutters and downspouts, leaving your home susceptible to rotting soffits and roof leaks.
Keep a watchful eye. If you have a lot of trees around your property, you may have to clean the gutters and downspouts more than once before winter. You’ll need a good sense of balance and a strong, steady ladder. Let common sense prevail; if you’re not confident on ladders, hire someone to do the job.
Water features and hose bibs
Photo by Brice Cooper on Unsplash
If you have an unheated pool, fountain, waterfall, or other water feature, get it tucked in for winter before the fall slips away.
For pools, you’ll need to drain them down a bit, toss them a pillow (!), and cover with a tarp. Actually, it’s a bit more involved than this. Click here for instructions on winterizing your pool.
For small fountains, it’s probably best to drain them and shut off the water. If the lines are underground, they are not likely to freeze, but leaving water in the basin can cause cracking and damage during freezes. Dry them out and cover with a tarp for the winter.
Ponds and waterfalls can be tricky in the winter. If your pond is deep enough, the fish will dive to the bottom in the colder months. If a waterfall feeds the pond, some users shut it down for the winter to keep cold water from recirculating to the bottom. But don’t shut down your filtration system. For best advice, contact your system’s installer.
Don’t forget your hose bibs. Leaving them exposed to frigid temps can cause the pipe to burst in the wall, resulting in costly repairs. There’s a quick fix. Polar Cap makes a hard plastic, Styrofoam-lined cover that fits over and secures to your hose bib. It’s available at most big box home stores for less than six dollars.
Conduct an outdoor home inspection
Way before the cold sets in, take a leisurely stroll around your house to take stock of what needs winterizing. If you’re not very handy, or if you’re a newbie to home maintenance, this would be a good time to hire a professional home inspector.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Check windows and doors for broken seals and damaged caulk. Make repairs to stay warm and save energy when the cold arrives. NOTE: While you’re dealing with your windows, get them clean before those cold winter days. Clean them outside and inside for a storybook view of those winter wonderland days. On the inside, clean and dust your blinds, and wipe down your window sills.
- Inspect your foundation for cracks, and call a pro to make repairs if you find them.
- Check out the roof for loose or cracked shingles, and do the fixes long before your roof gets covered with snow.
- Be sure to seal up any opening where mice and insects could invade your home seeking warmth. Mice can get in through holes no bigger than a dime!
- Call your HVAC company for a maintenance check on your heating system. You don’t need unpleasant surprises on really cold nights.
- And speaking of HVAC, change or wash your filters before the cold weather puts a high demand on your system.
Call Bert (the chimney sweep)!
Your chimney or stove pipe needs cleaning and inspection yearly. FEMA reports about 25,000 chimney fires each year in the United States.
Most of these are due to buildup of creosote in the chimney or flue, all preventable by regular cleaning.
And don’t overlook your gas log heating. It needs to be cleaned and inspected annually, as well.
Here are some fast facts from the EPA about fireplace and stove safety.
Where there’s smoke
Each fall and spring are perfect times to replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries. Don’t put it off! Your life may depend upon it.
About face!
Turn off your ceiling fans, clean the blades, and then reverse the direction with the little switch. For the winter, you want the blades rotating clockwise to pull air in an upward direction to move the heated air all around the room.
It’s so much easier to prepare for winter when you start in the fall! Follow these tips, and enjoy the beauty of the coming seasons.
Buying or selling a home in Western North Carolina?
Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.
