Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold: Tips for Homeowners on End-of-Summer Maintenance

Other than making sure the AC works, there’s not a lot of special summer home maintenance that needs to be done. But just as we prepare our bodies and cars for winter, we must prepare our homes - both inside and out. Your home is at risk as soon as the weather begins to turn cold, so don’t put winterizing off. Start today with these tips for end-of-summer maintenance.
 
Get your gutters in tip top shape
Your gutters are about to be hit with an onslaught. The summer months are an easy time for gutters, but fall with its copious leaves and winter with its ice and snow present unique challenges. That’s why it’s vital that you get your gutters in tip top shape before the colder seasons arrive.
 
According to Home Advisor, the average price to clean gutters and downspouts is $141 - $258. The average project timeline is around 6 hours. This means that there is no excuse to forgo this important maintenance task - even if you’re too busy to do it yourself. Apart from just cleaning your gutters you can also install mesh covers to prevent leaves and other debris from piling up.
 
Prioritize a furnace check
Your heating system doesn’t get much use during the summer, so it’s easy to put off a routine furnace check. But you definitely don’t want to find out your system has a major problem when you wake up in a freezing home. There’s a good chance you’ll call around and your local HVAC repair services will tell you to get in the back of the line. Stay ahead of the curve by scheduling a furnace check when it’s still warm outside. Even if you know nothing about HVAC systems you can check to make sure your unit is getting power (no circuit issues), is properly supplied with gas (no disconnected pipes, hoses, or pilot light issues), and has a brand new filter.
 
Beef up your insulation
One of the major causes of over-inflated energy bills during the fall and winter months is a lack of proper insulation. Attics are a major entry point for cold drafts, so it’s important to beef up your home’s insulation there - but drafts can enter from almost anywhere in your home. Here’s a good guide to improving your home’s insulation.
 
And while we’re on the subject of drafts, make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. Don’t underestimate how much warm air you lose to loose portals.
 
Trim your trees
There are a number of reasons why trimming the trees on your property is an extremely important end-of-summer home maintenance task. For one, it’s healthy for the trees. But beyond that, overgrown trees pose a huge risk to your home and other property (like your car or garage) as the weather turns colder. Cold weather makes trees more susceptible to breaking, and strong winds, snow, and ice, make branches crack, break, and fall. Prevent property destruction by trimming your trees before it gets too cold.
 
Tackle your paint projects
You’re probably thinking hey, I can paint anytime. While this is true, there’s a solid reason why it’s a good idea to do your painting projects (major and minor) before it gets too cold. If you paint while it’s still a little warm, you can leave your windows open for ventilation.
 
The best time to buy a winter coat is before you really need it. The best time to change over to winter tires is before the snow hits. This sort of preparation is easy to understand, but somehow people still neglect end-of-summer home maintenance. Don’t get left out in the cold.

Photo credit: Pixaby

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