How to Prepare Your House For Fall

As summer starts to come to a close, it is the perfect time to get your house ready for fall.  The weather will get colder, and then very soon, winter will bring more extreme weather conditions. Preparing your house for fall may be time-consuming, but it also cost-effective as it may save you money in the long run.  Below is a list to follow to get your home ready for fall, including cleaning out your home’s gutters.    

lean Out Your Gutters
It is very important to clean your gutters annually.  Yes, it is a pain, but a few hours spent cleaning your gutters can save you money later on.  If you decide to do-it-yourself, make sure you also inspect your roof for loose shingles and your chimney for any cracks.  If you choose not to tackle to task by yourself, then hire the best gutter maintenance company to do it for you.  Colorado Seamless Gutters is a Denver Colorado leading gutter company with special services for cleaning and maintenance. 
  
Service Your HVAC
You probably have had your air conditioning working non-stop during the heat of summer.  As fall approaches, it is a smart idea to clean the coils of your AC.  When the time comes to quit using the AC for the season, cover the outdoor unit to keep out ice and other kinds of debris.  Change your thermostat to heating instead of cooling.  Also, it is a good idea to clean your air ducts. 
 
Fertilize Your Lawn
The best time to fertilize your lawn is in fall.  It will protect your yard during the cold of winter, and allow it to turn green faster in the spring.  Fertilizing in fall is very important if you had a dry summer.  So in the summer focus on watering and mowing, but autumn is the time to fertilize.  
  
Clean Your Chimney
This task might be better left to the professionals.  It is important to the safety of your house, that you get your chimney inspected to make sure the pipe is free from any cracks.  Cracks will allow smoke and soot to enter your home.  Even gas fireplaces need to be inspected because carbon monoxide can seep into the house if the chimney is not functioning properly.  
 
Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers Need to Be Turned Off
When temperatures reach freezing, your outdoor pipes and hoses can burst if they are still full of water.  Open your faucets outside and run your sprinklers to get rid of any water.  Turn off your outdoor water supply.  Also, disconnect your outdoor hoses.  This way your pipes will not burst on you during winter.  
 
Drain the Fuel From Your Lawn Equipment
Before you put your lawn equipment away, drain the fuel from your weed whacker, leaf blower, and lawnmower.  It can damage your equipment to leave the fuel in because the fuel goes through chemical changes when stored and unused.  You may also consider getting the blades to your lawnmower sharpened before you store it so that it is ready to use in spring.  
 
Stock Up On Winter Supplies
Fall is the best time to get all of your winter supplies ready.  Buying snowmelt or shovels in late summer and fall means that the supplies are still stocked and reasonably priced.  Or, take an inventory of the winter supplies you have leftover from last season. It doesn’t hurt to take the time to check, and then you will know what you need to buy and what you already have.