How To Prepare Your Home For Cooler Weather

Fall has arrived, with cooler weather and shorter days serving as timely reminders to prepare your home for the months ahead. Tackling key maintenance tasks now ensures your home stays warm, energy-efficient, and well protected throughout the winter. Our checklist highlights 15 important steps to keep your home both comfortable and functional as the temperatures drop.

If the list feels extensive, consider engaging a trusted home maintenance service provider to handle seasonal inspections and repairs. Whether you take on the work yourself or entrust it to professionals, consistent care is an investment that enhances the quality of your life now while safeguarding the enduring value of your home.

1. Clear The Gutters

After the leaves have fallen, clean out the gutters and downspouts to ensure water flows freely. Check that joints are secure and make repairs if needed. Clogged or broken gutters can lead to ice dams that damage your roofline and allow water to seep inside your home, causing significant and costly damage.

2. Improve Insulation and Weatherstripping

Sealing air leaks and adding insulation not only makes your home more comfortable and energy efficient, it can also provide up to a 15% savings on your annual heating and cooling costs. Simple fixes include installing weatherstripping on doors, caulking around windows, and adding insulation in your attic, crawl spaces, and basement. Click here for an overview of the various types of insulation that can be installed throughout your home.

3. Repair The Roof

Inspect your roof for missing or loose shingles, or any other damage, and have all necessary repairs finished well before the cold weather sets in. Rain or melting snow can enter your home when your roof is compromised and that can lead to the growth of mold.

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4. Caulk And Refresh Exterior Surfaces

Applying caulk where exterior materials meet and where pipes or wires enter your home is a simple, cost-effective way to block drafts and prevent water intrusion. Sealing these gaps not only keeps out moisture but also prevents pests from finding their way inside as temperatures drop.

Peeling paint or fading stain indicates that siding or wood shingles may be exposed to the elements. Examine exterior materials for damage and complete repairs as needed. Adding a fresh coat of paint or stain will protect the exterior of your home from further wear while improving its curb appeal.

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5. Inspect The Foundation And Hardscaping

Check your driveway, steps, walkways, and patio for breaks that can expand or shift and become tripping hazards. Also, inspect your foundation and basement for cracks that can allow water to flow into your home when snow or ice melts or when it rains. Hire a professional to mitigate any issues before the cold weather sets in.

6. Protect Decks And Porches

Stain and seal wood decks and porches to protect them from moisture and preserve their appearance. A well-sealed surface resists warping, cracking, splintering, and rot. Inspect railings and supports too, ensuring they are secure and meet current safety standards.

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7. Drain Hoses, Spigots, and Sprinkler Systems

Before freezing temperatures set in, turn off the outdoor water supplies from inside your home. Then, disconnect all of your garden hoses and drain your outdoor spigots. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, have it winterized by a professional. These simple steps help prevent pipes from bursting and save you from costly repairs.

8. Service The Fireplace And Chimney

Make sure your fireplace and chimney are inspected and cleaned annually, preferably in the fall. The buildup of soot and creosote in a chimney is dangerous because it can ignite and cause a chimney fire. If it is difficult to keep a fire burning, you notice oily spots on the fireplace walls, the damper is black and crusted-looking, or you notice the smell of burning wood even when your fireplace is not lit, then it is definitely time to call in a professional who can check for soot buildup, animal nests, and other obstructions and inspect the structural integrity of your chimney and fireplace.

9. Schedule HVAC Maintenance

Arrange for a licensed professional to inspect your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system to make sure it is working properly. Detecting a developing problem now can prevent your family from shivering inside your home when the system fails on the coldest day of the year and the service professionals are overbooked. Don't forget to replace filters regularly to maintain system efficiency and improve indoor air quality.

10. Test The Sump Pump

Test your sump pump by slowly pouring water into the pit to make sure the pump turns on. You don't want to find out that it isn't working in the middle of a storm when water is backing up into your basement. If necessary, have it repaired.

11. Scrub The Humidifier

Check to see that your home's humidifier is clean, in good condition, and working well so that your family is comfortable in the dry, winter air. Inspect the plates or pads, and clean them with a brush or steel wool in a diluted solution of laundry detergent and water.

12. Evaluate Safety Equipment

It is always a good idea to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the beginning of each season. Ensure that everything is working properly, replace batteries, and vacuum the units' vents to remove dust build-up.

Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher that is rated for all types of fires. At a minimum, place one in the kitchen and make sure it is accessible. At the start of the fall season, check each fire extinguisher for damage and ensure that the pressure gauge indicates that it is fully charged. Replace any extinguisher that is more than 6 years old.

13. Deep Clean The Carpets and Rugs

Dust, dirt, and allergens can thrive in carpets and rugs, even when you vacuum regularly. Carpet manufacturers typically recommend surface cleaning with a vacuum weekly and doing a deep clean at least once every 12 to 18 months. Whether you plan to deep clean your carpets and rugs by yourself or choose to hire a professional, it's important to know that the most effective method is hot water extraction, also known as steam cleaning. Use industrial grade equipment that will remove all the stains, dirt, and pollutants but will not leave your carpets and rugs soaked with moisture. To prevent damaging the fibers, allow your carpets and rugs to fully dry before walking on them. 

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14. Care For The Lawn

A little work in the fall will make way for a lush, green lawn in the spring. Begin by resetting the height of your mower a little lower - to about 3 inches. Cutting your lawn slightly shorter in autumn will help to prevent the grass from matting down under leaves and snow. Then use a core aerator to remove plugs of soil in your lawn which relieves compaction so that air, nutrients, and water can reach the roots of your grass. You can easily rent a core aerator at many home and garden centers. After core aeration, apply fertilizer, reseed dead or thin patches, remove weeds, and give your lawn plenty of water. A couple of deep soaks before the soil freezes will allow your lawn to have an easier transition to the winter weather. As the leaves fall, be sure to rake them up regularly so that your lawn can absorb sunlight and water, which helps to prevent disease.

15. Clean And Store Outdoor Furniture

Taking good care of your outdoor furniture in the fall will ensure that it is not damaged by cold temperatures, snow, and ice during the winter months. Metal furniture can rust, wicker can unravel, and wood can split if not cared for properly. Before the weather turns, clean your furniture and cushions with a stiff brush dipped in mild soap and water, or you can use a power washer. Let it all dry completely in the sun to prevent mold and mildew from forming.

The best way to protect your newly cleaned outdoor furniture is to store it in a garage or shed. Hang smaller pieces on hooks on the walls and stack larger pieces on top of each other to save space. Keep cushions off the floor so they will not absorb moisture. If indoor storage is not possible, purchase fitted covers that have buckles, straps, or zippers to keep them securely fastened. Look for covers made from durable fabrics that have vents that allow air to circulate without letting in water or dirt. In a pinch, you can use tarps, but be sure to tie them tightly to keep your furniture clean and dry. 

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At Meridian Homes, we specialize in luxury remodeling and custom home building in the Washington, DC area. Our mission is to create exceptional residences that exceed expectations. Our highly personalized design process and careful management of every project have earned us a reputation over many years for outstanding client service and solid, beautiful craftsmanship. Contact us today to begin your custom home or remodeling project.