Autumn’s cooler temperatures create the perfect window to prepare a home for winter. The mild weather makes outdoor tasks pleasant before cold sets in. A seasonal to-do list helps protect property and prevent problems when freezing temperatures arrive.
Outdoor Preparations
Protecting plants from the first frost is essential. Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch, like shredded wood or leaves, over annuals and perennials. Wait to mulch shrubs, trees, and rosebushes until later in the season, when the soil is cool but not frozen.
Insects seek shelter under dead plant material. Remove this welcome mat by raking fallen leaves, deadheading annuals, pruning perennials and roses, and clearing out summer vegetable gardens.
Tender container plants must move indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Before bringing them inside, clip away dead or damaged leaves and branches. Then, check carefully for insects that may have hitched a ride.
Home Maintenance Checks
Preventing drafts by sealing gaps keeps warm air inside and cold air outside, which lowers heating costs. To detect drafts, hold a lit incense stick near doors and windows. If the smoke moves erratically, seal cracks around windows with caulk and add weatherstripping to doors.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are lifesavers. The National Fire Protection Association reports that three out of five home fire deaths happen in places without functioning detectors. Test these devices twice a year, in fall and spring. For instance, the X-Sense SC07 Wireless Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm uses a photoelectric sensor to detect smoke and alerts when CO levels exceed 30ppm.
Before fireplace season begins, have the chimney inspected and swept by a professional, which typically costs $150 to $200. Homeowners can do preliminary work by clearing debris from the chimney and repairing small masonry cracks with refractory cement. Ensure the damper moves smoothly and clean away soot and creosote buildup.
Lawn and Driveway Care
Want your lawn to look its best come springtime? Then sow grass seed in early through mid-fall. Reseeding the lawn gives gardeners in cold-winter areas a head start on spring. As the weather warms up, the grass will germinate, crowd out weeds, and develop a strong root system before the high heat of summer.
If you live in a warm-winter region and want to keep your grass green all season long, sow annual ryegrass in the early fall. This quick-sprouting grass will look great through the chilly months and then die down once higher temperatures return in the summer.
Exterior Upkeep
If you have an asphalt driveway, reseal it in the fall when temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and no rain is in the forecast. For most areas, that means late September to early October. To start, sweep away dirt, leaves, and other debris from the asphalt, and then pour asphalt sealant over the driveway.
Using an asphalt squeegee, evenly spread the sealant across the driveway’s entire surface. Let the sealant cure for at least 24 hours before parking on the driveway. Winter can be hard on your roof, when rain, snow, freezing temperatures, and high winds all take their toll. That’s why fall is the best time to make sure to inspect your roof and complete any necessary roof repairs before cold weather sets in.
