It's hard to believe that summer is coming to an end but as the warm weather prepares to leave us and the cooler winds start to come in, we need to start think about preparing our homes for fall. As the leaves start to change colours, we often prepare ourselves by buying warmer clothes, getting kids ready for going back to school and of course we order a pumpkin spice latte, however we may not think about chores around the home that should be done as the weather starts to change. 

Here's a list of 5 things you should be sure to do to prepare your home for fall. 

1. Fertilize Your Lawn. 

You may think this sounds odd in preparing for cold weather, but according to experts, it is important to fertilize your lawn in the fall in order to protect it over the winter and help it green up faster in the spring! Putting fertilizer on your lawn in the fall will help to trigger renewed growth of grass blades and roots in order to create a thick and healthy lawn before winter’s cool temperatures set in!

2. Clean Out Your Gutters. 

This is definitely not the most fun job, but we all should do it annually. A few hours of work can prevent huge problems later. When up on the ladder, inspect the roof for damaged shingles, flashing, or vents. You may also want to inspect the chimney for any missing mortar in order to be prepared for all of the repairs necessary before the snow comes!

3. Get Your Furnace and Fireplace Serviced. 

Time to order wood, oil and propane for the season ahead! If you haven't had your chimney inspected lately, it's a good idea to hire a professional to check for creosote and clean the flu. We have our furnace serviced annually in the fall so that it's a well oiled machine as we head into winter. It's a good idea around your home and make sure all vents are clear too.

4. Drain and Store Your Lawn Equipment. 

This one is important not to skip! Over time unused gas goes through chemical changes which can lead to harmful deposits that may destroy your lawn equipment. After your final use of equipment for the season you should drain the tanks of your lawn mower, leaf blower, and weed-whacker. You will also want to drain outdoor faucets and hoses and cover them to protect from the freezing weather to come.

5. Keep the Warm Air Inside and the Cold Air Outside. 

Inspect your windows and doors. This will save you money and hassle when the cold comes. Check weather stripping by opening a door, placing a piece of paper in the entryway and closing the door. The paper should not slide back and forth easily. If it does, the weather stripping isn’t doing its job. It is also a good idea to re-caulk around windows and door casings, if needed.