4 Things You Can Do This Fall to Prep for Winter

Spring may be the time for an annual cleaning marathon, but tackling some specific maintenance and cleaning chores in the fall ensures your home is in ideal condition before cooler weather arrives. This time of year is the best time to put your summer things away and pull out your cooler weather pieces, from flannel sheets and down comforters to pumpkins, gourds and fall decor. Each of the items below will help you prep your home for fall; these won't take much time to accomplish, but you'll feel revitalized and ready to welcome the new season when you are done.

Fall Cleaning Checklist for Homeowners

Prep your HVAC System: According to experts at House Beautiful, one of the most important tasks you have in fall is to ready your heating system. Change the filters, dust around vents and if you have any concerns, schedule an inspection with a local contractor. Discovering a small problem now could prevent costly repairs later -- and those new filters will improve your home's efficiency and air quality, too.

Say Goodbye to Summer: Most of us accumulate quite a few accessories and decorative items each season. Identify any that are left over from the spring holidays -- that red, white and blue wreath and the pastel pillows can make a reappearance next year. Pack all items safely away and label the box so you can retrieve them when the warm weather returns. Rotate out dishes and kitchenware as needed -- and any appliances that are for summer use should head to the back of the cabinets. Replace the snowcone maker with the steamed milk frother so you'll have the pieces you're most likely to use at the ready.

Ready the Roof: Check your roof and gutters for debris like leaves, acorns and pine needles. If you can safely do so, remove these. Cleaning your roof and gutters now will prevent problems later; water could be trapped in the gutter and freeze, causing a variety of problems, from leaks to roof damage. A quick visual check can help you determine if there is a buildup of debris on your roof; if you spot any visible damage, it is time to get help -- even a single missing shingle can impact the integrity of your roof and damage your home.

Check Batteries: It takes just moments, but the most important thing you can do to prepare your home for fall is to test and refresh your smoke detectors and carbon dioxide alarms. This is also the time to check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and make sure it is still ready to use. 

By the time you've completed these tasks, your home will be ready for the fun part -- breaking out the fall decor and accessories and getting ready to welcome the season. Completing these tasks now ensures your home is ready for cooler weather, and puts you in the right frame of mind for autumn, too.