Get your property ready for the winter season
Save money on bills, avoid the need for pricey repairs in the future Mowed or cut-up leaves can be used as nourishing mulch for your lawn.
Fall’s chill came fast and furious, offering a taste of what’s to come, before backing off again in these weeks of fluctuating temperatures.
No matter the reading on the thermometer, it’s a good idea to now think about getting your home and yard ready for winter.
The measures you take to prepare your crib for the cold can translate into cost savings and stave off the need for expensive repairs. Here’s a to-do list:
Keep things cosy (and safe) by ensuring fireplaces are clean and ready to take the chill off cold nights. Inspect chimneys and vents to confirm everything is in good repair. Check your furnace filter in case it needs replacing. Prevent drafts from raising your heating bills by replacing any worn weather stripping around windows and doors, and seal any gaps with caulk.
Reverse your ceiling fans. Yes, that’s what that pull-chain you never pull is for! Fans should run clockwise in the winter, producing an updraft and pushing the heated air near the ceiling down into the room. With many homes today having high or vaulted ceilings, running the fans can help lower your heating bill.
Check your roof before the snow flies. Fix any damaged or loose shingles. Water can leak into the attic or roof spaces above the top floor. Pay close attention to areas of your roof that receive the most sun — heat exposure can wear them out first.
Clean your home’s eavestroughs. If they’re full, they can cause water to back up, create ice dams, and potentially cause decay and mould damage to the roof, siding, trim and foundation. Check your downspouts and diverters to ensure they’re about three to five feet away from the home’s foundation and pointed downhill to prevent standing water.
Most carbon monoxide incidents occur in the cold months when the furnace and other heat sources are on and the windows are closed. Carbon monoxide detectors are important, life-saving devices to have on hand. Test them regularly and replace the batteries for the season.
Shut off and drain exterior faucets. Undrained water can freeze in the pipes, which can cause them to burst if the ice expands. Drain and put away garden hoses to prevent them from cracking. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, drain the pipes to prevent leaks and freezing.
Make sure your snow shovel is in good shape and in a handy location. Have salt, sand or ice melt in a covered bucket near walkways prone to slick spots.
Rather than raking your leaves, consider mowing them and using them as nourishing mulch for your lawn. To mulch, cut the leaves into small pieces when they’re dry. A few passes with a regular blade, or using a mulching blade, will do the trick. Some leaf blowers also have a shredding feature. For the last lawn mowing of the season, raise the blade to leave the grass longer to help insulate it from winter damage.
Fall is the perfect season to plant bulbs for spring. Now is the time to think about what you want your garden to look like when it wakes up after a long winter’s sleep. Bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and irises are perfect low-maintenance plants, and the flowers come back year after year. Plant them by mid- October, before the ground freezes.
Till vegetable garden soil and cover it with mulch to make it easier to start the garden again in spring. Doing this reduces the need to use a rototiller or shovel to break up heavy, wet soil.
Cover or store your outdoor furniture to prevent it from fading and cracking.