Take care of these 10 tasks now to make sure the outside of your home is ready for winter.
Cooler weather is on the way! Take advantage of the early days of fall and prepare the outside of your home for the cold months ahead. This handy checklist can help you make sure you don’t miss any nooks or crannies.
Make sure to clean all patio furniture well (including cushions) before storing it. Use a solution of Dawn Ultra Dish Soap and warm water to wipe down plastic or resin patio furniture, and remove scuffs and stuck-on grime with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable. Let all furniture pieces air-dry thoroughly, and then store them in a closed storage unit. Use covers to protect the furniture frames.
Spend some time Tidying up your garage or shed while the weather is still nice.
If you have kids, clean all toys before storing them away to help prevent mold and mildew. Once spring rolls around, pulling out warm-weather toys will be a much quicker task.
Apply a sealant or new coat of exterior paint to your wood deck for added protection against the rain and snow.
From the ground, visually inspect your roof for signs of damage like loose or missing shingles. Have the roof checked by a professional if you see anything concerning.
Add weather stripping around the doors, making sure you can’t see any daylight when looking through the door from the inside. And don’t forget about the windows! Check the areas around them for gaps and cracks, and apply caulk as needed.
Disconnect garden hoses and drain any water that still remains in the faucet. Water in pipes can freeze and expand, causing the pipes to burst. Install insulating covers to outdoor faucets if you live in a colder climate.
After the last use of the season, give all larger gardening equipment a thorough cleaning using a damp cloth, and clean hand tools with a solution of Dawn Ultra Dish Soap and warm water. Make sure the tools are thoroughly dried to prevent rusting.
Clean the drainpipe and gutters of leaves and other debris to prevent clogging. If drains are not cleaned adequately, water can back up against the house and lead to leaks, or damage roofing, siding and wood trim.
Give your grill a thorough cleaning with Dawn Ultra Dish Soap and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable before covering and storing it for the winter. Be sure to scrape down grates, wipe down knobs and clean the inside of the lid, too.
While it might seem like a lot to do at first, just remember: Finishing all these tasks early will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy the fleeting days of fall – and the upcoming winter – without worrying about your outdoor space.