Now Is The Time To Get Your Home Ready For The Winter Months

It is that time of year when you can feel the cooler weather coming on. Summer is over and it is time to prepare for the fall and winter months.

OwnerWiz has some suggested chores for the fall months that will help you prepare your home for the coming of the winter months.

Here is a Chore Checklist for the Outside of the Home:

Inspect external doors and garage doors and make sure that they close tightly.  Also, check the weather-stripping and door thresholds. Replace if necessary.

Patio furniture should be cleaned and placed in storage or covered for the cold weather. Outdoor umbrellas and furniture cushions should be washed and placed in the garage or storage. Store the children's summer toys too.

Check the caulk around all of the windows and doors.  Make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations to re-caulk if necessary.

Wash all of the exterior windows.

Inspect the gutters and downspouts for any debris and clear if necessary. 

Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and store them in a dry storage area. Install insulating covers on all the exterior spigots. In states that experience hard-freeze areas, make sure to clear water from the sprinkler system.

Have the chimneys and flues inspected by a qualified professional and cleaned if necessary.

Now, while the weather is pleasant, is the best time for a good deep cleaning inside the home. Face the coming of winter and the holidays with a clean and comfortable home.

Here is a Chore Checklist for the Inside of the Home:

 Start cleaning the house and rooms from the top to the bottom. If your home is a split level or has multiple levels, start upstairs with the bedrooms and work your way down to the basement. If your home is a ranch, start from the front and work your way to the back.

Vacuum the curtains and window treatments. Clean the window sills and window wells. Vacuum the baseboards and corners. Keep air registers and vents clear to allow air to flow freely throughout the room.

Move furniture and vacuum beneath and behind it. Vacuum the upholstered furniture, or have them professionally cleaned if needed. 

This is also a good time to turn all of the mattresses front-to-back and end-to-end to equalize wear and prevent sagging.

Have all of the bedding pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, and comforters laundered or cleaned.

Wash all of the interior windows.

Late September and early October is the best time to schedule professional carpet cleaning.  The warm October afternoons will speed up the carpet drying. October is the peak time for professional carpet cleaning companies, so schedule now for best service.

Clean and organized your kitchen cabinets, paying particular attention to baking supplies, pans and equipment to prepare for holiday time cooking.

Pull the refrigerator away from the wall, and vacuum the condenser coils. For bottom-mounted coils, use a long, narrow brush to clean coils of dust and debris. 

Check and empty the central vacuum's collection area.

It is best to schedule a fall furnace inspection now, than to wait until it is cold outside. It is also a perfect time to drain any sediment from hot water heaters.

Follow these tips and should have a safe and comfortable winter season.