Autumn-Proof Your Home: Simple Steps for a Cosy Season

My blog focuses on Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. There are numerous considerations if you live a geographic location where there are multiple seasons. While autumn is beautiful, there are numerous maintenance considerations for your home. The following contributed post is entitled, Autumn-Proof Your Home: Simple Steps for a Cosy Season.

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It’s time to start planning how to get your house ready for the next winter months when the days become shorter and the air becomes crisper. Autumn is the ideal time to take care of necessary house maintenance because it is a time of transition between the warmth of summer and the cold of winter.

There are a few proactive measures you can take to keep your home in good shape before the temperatures drop, regardless of your level of experience as a homeowner or your level of property maintenance. By doing this, you can save expensive repairs and last-minute fixes while still keeping your place pleasant and functional.

Photo by Scott Webb: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-red-wooden-house-with-fence-1029599/

Examine And Maintain Your Heating System

Examining your heating system is one of the most important things you can do before autumn really sets in. Before they are frequently used, your thermostat, radiators, and boiler should all be in good operating order.

You can avoid cold nights later by scheduling a boiler repair or service in the early autumn. Even if your heating system appears to be operating without any issues, routine maintenance can prolong the system’s lifespan, increase efficiency, and help avoid malfunctions. Don’t put off getting a checkup if your boiler is making odd noises or your radiators are taking a long time to heat up.

Empty The Drains and Gutters

While falling leaves can be lovely, they become a problem when they block your gutters. Water pouring from clogged gutters can harm your home’s roof, walls, and foundation.

At the start and finish of the season, be sure to clean your gutters and downspouts. In the process, make sure that external drains are free of debris to prevent flooding during the fall rainy season.

Look For Drafts In The Doors And Windows

It’s worthwhile to check your house for drafts during the cooler months since heating bills increase. Any holes around windows and doors should be sealed with weatherstripping or sealant. Your heating system will have to work harder than it needs to, since even tiny gaps can result in significant heat loss.

For a more affordable option to replace your old, single-glazed windows, think about purchasing strong thermal drapes or secondary glazing.

Clear Up The Yard

The final opportunity to get your garden ready for winter is in the autumn. Mow your yard one more time, gather fallen leaves, and trim back overgrown plants. To shield outdoor furniture from the weather and avoid damage, store it or cover it.

Additionally, you may want to look for wear on decking, gates, and fences. If left untreated, strong autumn winds and winter weather can convert minor problems into substantial fixes.

Test Carbon Monoxide And Smoke Detectors

Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are functioning correctly as you start using heating appliances more frequently and spend more time indoors. If necessary, test them and change the batteries.

Particularly when you begin using gas heaters, boilers, or fireplaces more frequently throughout the winter months, these detectors can save lives.

Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath. Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.

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