All the Leaves Are Brown, and the Sky Is Gray

The leaves are turning color as they gracefully fall to the ground and there is a slight chill in the air.   Halloween has come and passed and Sweater weather has fully arrived and it’s time to bust out the boots.  And just in case you weren’t really sure, the aroma of pumpkin spice latte’s can be smelled for miles around.  Yes, fall is in full swing, and it’s time to get your house ready for it.  Whether you are diligently using your home maintenance checklist or if you just kind of wing it, there are a few things you must do every fall in order to maintain your home and get it ready for winter.   This is the time of year, just as the leaves are changing; you need to think about changing things too.  What I mean is, it’s time to change out all of the batteries in your smoke detectors.  While you’re at it, you should change (or clean out) your air duct filters.  Most filter need to cleaned or changed every three months, so why not take a day and do both at the same time. 

            

            Besides changing things out, fall is also the time to check things out.  First and foremost, you need to check your house for any air leaks.  Check around all the doors and windows for signs that any leaks are occurring, such as gaps or missing caulk.  Also check to make sure the weather stripping is in good condition.  Since, air leaks are one of the biggest causes of energy loss, making sure that they are plugged up will save you money in the long run.  The next place to inspect is your roof.  You need to make sure that it is in good condition and ready to handle any type of storm that winter can bring.  And lastly, you need to check your fireplace and chimney. Fireplaces need to be cleared of debris and cleaned out, and the chimney inspected for any cracks.  Once all of this is done, grab your pumpkin spice latte, curl up in front of the fire, and relax knowing you are ready for what fall and winter will bring.