Now that fall is fast-approaching, it’s officially time to think about a very exciting topic… fall home maintenance.
I know, I know. It’s not exactly your ideal way to spend a weekend. But I promise you, you’ll be glad you did when it’s one of those chilly winter evenings and you don’t have to deal with falling tree limbs.
Here are my top 4 items to take care of this fall to get your home ready for the colder weather to come.
1. Care for your trees and shrubs. Pruning unhealthy limbs from your trees will help avoid falling limbs in winter storms. There are plenty of online resources like this article to help you differentiate between a dangerous limb and a safe, healthy one. You may also want to consider hiring a certified arborist to get a pair of expert eyes on your trees.
2. Clean your gutters. Everyone’s favorite task, right? Just because our leaves don’t turn spectacular colors in Austin doesn’t mean they don’t fall off and clog our gutters. Cleaning your gutters is a great precaution against roof and siding damage during fall rainstorms, so don’t skimp on this one!
3. Schedule your heating system maintenance. Taking care of your maintenance now will ensure that your system is in great shape for the season. Remember that chilly night when your water heater or heat pump broke? We all have a story like that. Avoid a crisis situation this year by making sure your system is ready to go ahead of time.
4. Go green. Conduct an energy audit to assess your home’s energy efficiency. Even if your home is newer, there are sure to be opportunities to save energy. The easiest thing to do first is to check your windows and doors for cracks and seal them to prevent drafts. You’ll be warmer, have a lower heating bill, and you’ll save energy. To learn more about conducting a home audit yourself, click here.
These tasks won’t take you long, but they’ll make a big difference for your home.
As always, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, hit reply and let me know! I would love to sit down and discuss how I can help you find your dream home in the Austin area.
Happy fall,
Crystal