AUTUMN, Time for pie, hot coco, and winter maintenance

Autumn is here in all it’s glory! The fresh clean air, beautiful leaves and a new season of chores!

Preparing your house for the winter time is very important as it will save you time and probably money come spring if certain things get left undone. Here are 10 steps to help you hibernate this winter in comfort:

1. Clean Your Gutters!
The leaves are falling quickly and they can clog up your gutters which may prevent the November rains or melting spring snow from draining off your roof. Ice expands and can cause damage so it’s important to have a way for water to leave!

2. Rake The Leaves. 

While this can be left til spring, wet spring leaves are heavy to scoop up and a breeding ground for mosquitos! Doing it now will prevent a messy job come May and perhaps a few less bites!

3. Turn Off The Outside Water.
Hoses should be drained and stored for the winter and the water source to all outside faucets should be turned off. All too often this step is missed and pipes can freeze or burst. Taking care of this in the fall will help you avoid a leaky basement and a new hose purchase in the spring. Besides, have you ever tried to move a frozen hose?

4. Cover Your AC.
Super quick and easy, can avoid any ice or snow damage during the winter. It will also prevent falling leaves from accumulating.

5. Plug Up Any Holes.
Critters aren’t the only ones trying to stay warm all winter! A mouse can contort its body and enter the smallest crack, then invite its whole family! Mice can have 5-10 litters per year - that’s a lot of mice you don’t want inside! Check the gaps around your outdoor plumbing, dryer vent and garage doors. 

6. Change Your Fire Alarms.
This isn’t new news. Changing your alarm batteries every season is just good practise. It’s also a good idea to check the Carbon Detectives as some have expiration dates. 

7. Tend To The Gardens.
Some of us have trees and shrubs that don’t fare well in our winter climate. Protecting them from the harsh winter with burlap tents or wraps will keep them looking pretty come spring. It’s also important to prune any branches away from your home as ice and water drips off branches and can accumulate over the winter. 

8. Furnace Time.
The furnace is ready to come on make sure your filters are clean. Check the outside to ensure nothing can block the furnace vent as this can shut your furnace off during the winter. Another important step is to ensure your humidifier is working. If you don’t have one on your furnace it’s worth investing in a couple for your home. Having the right humidity in your house will help avoid static shocks but also cold/flu season! Germs love dryness! 

9. Garage Shuffle.
As you put the rakes and bikes away, it’s time to move the shovels and winter tires forward. No one ever really knows when the first snow will come, so having the winter gear up front will help you avoid searching the cold dark garage in a snap. 

10. The Fireplace.
If you are still using a wood burning fireplace it’s recommended that you have your chimney cleaned every 2 years. If you aren’t burning completely clean wood or you use the easy start packs, they can coat your chimney with grease making it dangerous for your home and an almost impossible entry for Santa. You should also look up to make sure your chimney’s vent gate is still there to avoid critters joining you for dinner.