Is your home ready for it? While homeownership comes with an abundance of benefits, it also comes with many responsibilities. In order to keep the investment in your home maximized, it is important to keep your property well-maintained through the seasons to prevent damage and deterioration.
If you’re new to homeownership, or just new to home maintenance, here is a handy checklist of some important pre-winter maintenance to do this fall.
Prepare your lawn for winter
While it might be tempting to loosen up on lawn maintenance when grass growth slows during autumn, fall is actually a great time for lawn care. Continuing maintenance such as mowing and watering helps grass grow thicker, recover from the stress of summer and gather strength for the winter. In addition to trimming and watering, spread some nitrogen rich fertilizer two-three weeks before the frost, and consider aerating for a beautiful, lush lawn next summer.
Weather-proof your hard surfaces
We see our fair share of snow and moisture during most winters in Laramie County. It’s a good idea to seal surfaces that are susceptible to water damage such as wood patios or decks, and masonry.
Check your drainage
Negative drainage can lead to foundation issues, which can be expensive to repair. Save yourself a headache and money by catching drainage problems early-on and before wet seasons.
Clean your gutters
Cleaning the gutters is a job few enjoy, but it is critically important to ensure proper drainage away from your house and to avoid water damage. Once the leaves have mostly fallen, it’s time to get busy!
Winterize sprinkler systems and disconnect garden hoses.
Busted pipes are no fun, so before the first freeze, be sure all garden hoses are disconnected from hydrants and put away for the season. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure to winterize it.
Check your heating system
It gets cold in Wyoming. Really cold. Make sure your home has warmth when the temperature drops by ensuring your heating system is functioning properly. If you have a furnace, be sure to clean around it to eliminate possible fire hazards, check your air filters, and test the furnace and thermostat.
Check your alarms and fire detectors
Fall and winter are peak times for housefires. Checking your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms could save lives in the event of a fire or a CO leak. These precautionary steps will help keep your family and property safe by alerting you to danger early on.
Routine home maintenance is the best way to keep your home looking its best and preserve its value. If you ever consider selling, your diligence to proper home maintenance will make your property more desirable and valuable. To find out what your home is worth, call us at 307-635-0303 to speak with a real estate professional!
Thank you to guest blogger, Donica Wilkins, RE/MAX Capitol Properties, for sharing these tips with us.