Whether you’re missing the summer days already or excited about sweater weather and pumpkin spice, fall is here, and that means there’s some work to do around the house.
There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of fall for those who love it, but it’s important to remember that winter is around the corner, and it’s often difficult to predict when wintry weather will arrive.
Pay attention to these areas to prepare your house for winter. Here are four fall home preparation tips.
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Roof
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects your family, belongings, and everything else that lies under it. Because of its essential role, it is wise to get it checked out annually or biannually.
Fall is a perfect time to have your roof looked over. It provides the opportunity to make sure your roof is in good condition to take on the winter weather in Toronto. While you can do a spot check from the ground, hiring professionals to inspect your roof and make any necessary repairs is best. They’ll be able to fix any loose, missing, broken or curled shingles or identify any issues with the flashing or other areas before they become a significant issue.
A benefit to getting your roof inspected early in the fall is that should there be a bigger problem and you find yourself needing roof replacement in Toronto, you have more time to plan accordingly.
Gutters
The beauty that falls brings in the form of leaves changing color is wonderful until they begin to fall and end up clogging your gutters. Fallen leaves and other debris can build up and obstruct the melting water from snow and ice, leading to ice dams. Prevent this by cleaning them out, removing debris and checking that water can flow freely.
Windows and Doors
Inspecting your doors and windows is another critical part of preparing your home for winter. If there are drafts in your home, windows and doors are prime suspects. Leaving them unaddressed has a significant impact on your comfort and energy use. From outside your home, check around windows, doors, electrical outlets and outdoor faucets. Seal up any cracks and gaps with caulk.
If you’re having trouble identifying where drafts are coming from, you can try using the candle test. Close your windows, turn off fans, and light a candle or incense. Pass it around windows and doors and watch to see if the smoke or flame dances. Again, seal up these areas with caulk.
Furnace
Another task best left to the professionals, be sure to schedule your annual maintenance on your furnace early on. Many homeowners leave this until the first cold snap. They go to turn on their heat, only to discover at this inopportune time that it’s not working. Predictably, HVAC professionals are flooded with calls. Beat the rush and book your appointment early.
If you’ve already had maintenance done on your furnace this year, test out your heat by switching it on for a few minutes to ensure it works before the cold weather hits. That way you can get ahead of any issues.
