How is it October? Goodness, this year is flying by! It always feels like the changing seasons sneak up on me, and suddenly, it’s fall. If you feel like you’ve been in summer mode forever, here’s a friendly reminder that it’s time to switch gears and prepare for colder weather.
With the summer heat gone, now is actually a great time to tackle outdoor projects without the worry of heat exhaustion. Pressure washing is often overlooked in the fall, but there are plenty of reasons to do it now. Over the summer, pollen, leaves, and dirt accumulate, and cleaning them before winter helps prevent staining and mildew growth. If your house is surrounded by trees, it’s also easier to remove sticky sap now than in the spring. Plus, pressure washing your home allows you to inspect soffits, roofs, chimneys, and gutters. Address any signs of leaks now. No one wants to fix a leaky roof in the middle of winter, when it’s covered in ice and snow.
Make sure your gutters are clear of debris. Gutters are meant to direct water away from your home, but they can’t do that if they’re clogged. Blocked gutters can cause water to cascade down your walls, leading to serious structural damage if not dealt with quickly.
You still have a few weeks to stain and seal your deck, which is especially important before winter. During cooler weather, moisture doesn’t evaporate as quickly, which can cause significant damage to unsealed decks. Check the weather forecast for a string of warm, dry days to take care of your deck now and avoid springtime repairs.
Even though we’ve had mild winters in recent years, it’s always important to winterize your plumbing. Outside, disconnect and drain your hoses before storing them in a shed or garage. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure to drain the lines and insulate any above-ground components. Protect outdoor faucets by covering them with a faucet cover or even an old sock. Inside, insulate exposed pipes with heat tape or insulation, especially those that run through exterior walls or uninsulated areas like attics and basements. These pipes are most at risk of freezing and bursting, which can cause extensive damage.
Don’t forget to caulk and weatherstrip your windows and doors. This will help keep your heating bills down and keep unwanted critters out! You can check out our YouTube channel for a video on replacing weather stripping around doors. And in case we finally get a snowy winter, now is the time to check your snow blowers and shovels. Finding out that your snow removal equipment isn’t working when there’s a foot of snow on the ground is never ideal.
We’re fortunate to live in a place where we get to experience the changing seasons, but it does require a little extra work and attention. If you have any questions about prepping your home or garden for colder weather, remember that at Randy’s Hardware, we’re always happy to help. Don’t hesitate to ask!
