Fall is here, with its mix of thunderstorms and mild, sunny days before the winter sets in. Fortunately for Dallas homeowners, this means you get a few extra weeks to work on your home and property, ensuring that your house stays warm and snug through the winter. Here are some projects suggested by our real estate agency in Dallas for you to get stuck into!
Maintenance and Winter Prep for Your Home’s Exterior
- Clear out the gutters: Get some gloves, a ladder and your oldest set of clothes and get ready to dredge a year’s worth of leaves, sticks and debris out of your gutters. Even if you did this in the summer, it’s worth it to give them a quick look again – especially if you have lots of big trees and shrubs in your yard. When gutters are blocked or leaking, water pools by your foundation and against your roof, which leads to leaks, rotting shingles/siding/window frames, and damage to your foundation. While you’re up there, take a look at the condition of your roof and note any damaged shingles, flashing or vents so you can get them repaired too.
- Start composting: All that unappealing gutter muck is actually great for composting, and fall is the perfect season to start this eco-friendly and rewarding hobby. Bins are available from any garden center and setting them up is easy. In addition to autumn leaves, you can compost lots of different vegetable trimmings too – and it will all be ready to use in spring.
- Clean off your outdoor furniture: Our winters are fairly mild, so you’re still going to get a lot of use out of your outdoor furniture, but now’s the perfect time to clean it all up from a long summer of backyard BBQs and family gatherings. Give it a good clean, including washing soft coverings, and pack away any extra pieces you don’t think you’ll be using in the winter. Oil any metal items, clean your grill thoroughly, and pack away swimming pool toys. It’s a good idea to clean, service and oil your yard equipment at the same time too.
- Plant your garden: Spring is the biggest planting season, but there are loads of plants that should be planted in the fall – either because they add winter color to your yard or because they bloom in spring. Plant bulbs in a spot that will get plenty of spring sunlight, Possumhaw holly for striking winter color, Lenten rose in shady spots and winter honeysuckle for beautiful flowers and scents through the season. Don’t forget your vegetables too! Great winter vegetables that thrive in the winter climate include radishes, spinach, beets, carrots, arugula, collards, garlic and kale.
Maintenance and Winter Prep for Inside Your Home
- Clean and service your furnace: Get your furnace serviced by a local professional at least once a year, and give it a visual inspection and replace the filter before the winter.
- Upgrade your lighting: Although our winters are mild, the sunlight can be very dull, so it’s important to have plenty of comfortable lighting in each room. Make sure all your windows are properly cleaned and replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs to maximize your savings.
- Check your seals: Worn-out weatherstripping is one of the most common causes of drafts, making your home feel cold and forcing your furnace to burn more fuel to try heat it up. Make sure the weatherstripping is in good condition on both the inside and outside of your home, and replace if needed.
- Invest in a smart thermostat: These devices are one of the best energy-saving investments homeowners can make, and it will help you save money through the summer as well as the coming winter months. According to EnergyStar, they can save you around $180 on fuel costs each year on average by tailoring heating and cooling to your requirements. Also, set your desired temperature to 68 degrees rather than 72, as this can save you up to 20% of your fuel costs each month.
- Insulate your hot water heater: If your home has an older hot water heater, it’s a good idea to insulate it using a hot water heater blanket that you can find at most home hardware stores or plumbing suppliers. If you have a gas or propane heater, be sure not to cover the burner access. Check your manufacturer’s manual first to see if your hot water heater can use a blanket.
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