Top 10 Ways to Prepare for Fall Weather

It’s finally fall. After a brutally hot summer, you are more than excited for crisp weather, bonfires, pumpkin-themed decorations, and passing out candy to eager trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.

Fall is the beginning of football season, of trading out your summer shorts for cozy sweaters, making large pots of soup, and getting your home ready for the cooler months ahead. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten ways to prepare for fall weather so that you might get ahead of the early setting sun and spend this season relaxing!

Tip #1: Checking for Leaks

While this is imperative to do any time of year, it’s particularly helpful in the fall. Any faulty piping, sloping crawl spaces, or poorly insulated attics will be exposed to the elements, which include below-freezing temperatures as the seasons change. Look for water rings near the pipes under your sinks, the ceilings in your bathrooms, and behind your washing machine. Moisture, if left untreated, can cause mold, wood rot, and cracked pipes, all of which can be detrimental to your home.

Tip #2: Check the Weather Stripping on Your Doors and Windows

On a cool day, if you place your hand under your front door or next to your window, you might feel a draft coming through. This could be a sign that your entryways are not fully sealed from the outside elements, allowing outside air in. This can drive up your monthly energy bill & decrease efficiency, putting strain on your HVAC and heating systems. You can easily replace these by taking a trip to your local home improvement store.

Tip #3: Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes, especially exposed ones, are subject to freezing during particularly chilly fall days. The risk of this happening increases the deeper into winter we go. When pipes freeze, they can crack and eventually burst, which will leave you without water and costly damage to clean up. Fortunately, there is a simple way to prevent this from happening! Using pre-split pipe foam or heat tape can make a large difference in how well your pipes withstand the harsh winter elements. When in doubt, ask the professionals for their recommendations.

Tip #4: Turn Off & Store Hoses

Once you are sure you won’t need your hoses again for the fall, turn off your outside spigot. Remove and drain excess water from your hoses and keep them stored in a shed or inside. Like your pipes inside, you can wrap your spigot with pipe foam or thick towels to prevent freezing, cracks, or water from dripping.

Tip #5: Lawn Care

It’s pertinent to give your grass a good final summer cut and consider fertilizer. Aerating your lawn will allow for exponential growth, by providing more airflow. Dead branches are prone to snapping off in the winter and might damage your car or house, so remove those ahead of time! Setting your grass up for the winter will allow it to come back into full flourish next spring. Who doesn’t love a beautiful green lawn after the winter season?

Tip #6: Storing Your Grill and Other Outdoor Furniture

Don’t plan on grilling out in the cold? It might be time to store it! Give your grill a thorough cleaning and then cover or move it out of the elements. The same goes for your outdoor furniture that might not withstand a winter storm or sleeting rain. You can purchase waterproof cushions or store them when not in use! Taking preventative action will help your furniture extend its shelf-life, so you can enjoy it for many years to come.

Tip #7: Clean Your Fireplace

Your fireplace flute can get clogged and harbor flammable materials, anything from fallen leaves to birds’ nests. Cleaning it every year, before you use it, is crucial in reducing the risk of a fire occurring. If your flute is clogged, the smoke will backtrack into your home, creating air that is harmful to breathe! We also recommend sweeping out your fireplace after every use, to help prolong the need for a deeper clean. This connects with tip #5 — if you have branches crossing over your fireplace, critters have a direct bridge into your home! Consider having a company come and remove them.

Tip #8: Gutters – they need cleaning too!

As leaves begin to fall, they often land on your roof or in your gutters. This can cause your gutters to back up, and overflow water onto your roof, porches, and the siding of your home. It’s an imperative yet easy thing to clean, to keep your home functioning the way it should! Cleaning out your gutters will provide a beautiful curb appeal, because your home will look and feel its best.

Tip #9: Cracks in Your Concrete

Maybe it’s a crack in your garage floor, a small spot in your driveway turns into a large crack, or you notice crumbling concrete on your back patio. In any scenario, it’s best to get these cracks properly filled in before fall weather begins. As the weather cools, it can cause the concrete to expand and crack even further, which leaves you with an expensive cement bill!

Tip #10: Check Your Dryer Vent

You should be checking your lint trap every time you run the dryer, but what you cannot control is if the vent connecting to your machine becomes clogged. If this happens, you might notice that your clothes take several rounds to get fully dry. The vent to the outside of your home might have visible build-up in it, blocking the airflow. This can quickly become a deadly fire hazard as materials build up under hot drying temperatures. You should start with a visual look at the vent located outside of your home (usually along an exterior wall near the laundry room), and then take a peek behind the dryer itself. If you have any questions, hire a professional to make sure the job is done properly.

Here at Turbeville Insurance Agency, we are all about safety. While we enjoy the respite from the Midland’s hot and humid summers, we also understand the importance of preparation for cooler months. From lawn care tips to insulating your exposed pipes, and even checking the dryer vents, there are a plethora of ways you can prepare. With this list of top 10 ways to prepare for fall weather, you will be back to making soup and watching football on Sundays in no time!