Autumn is the perfect time to take care of the little things that can make a big difference for you and your home. It’s time to get your home cosy and ready for Winter. Here’s my Autumn checklist, I use it every year starting with the 1st September. Many may dispute it but September 1st is always the first day of Autumn for me.
- Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.
- Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk.
- Inspect your roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents.
- Take steps to repair damaged sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
- Drain and winterize outdoor taps and irrigation systems.
- Clean or replace dirty furnace filters.
- Have a professional inspect your heating system.
- Check fireplaces for soot or creosote build-up. Better yet, schedule a visit from a reputable chimney sweep.
- Clean the plates or pads to ensure efficient operation.
- If you have a gas-fired room heater, have it inspected by a professional. Also, perform any routine maintenance recommended by the maker.
- Wood stoves are everywhere. To avoid a deadly situation, be sure to inspect yours before firing it up.
- A home safety check should be an annual ritual in every household. Test smoke and CO monitors, inspect (or install) fire extinguishers, review fire escape plans, and rid your home of old newspapers and other fire hazards.
Very helpful. Thank you!
That’s a really helpful list, far too many things I forget about!
I have some friends who came here from Ukraine and they prepared for their first winter in the UK by buying 20 kilos of potatoes !!!
Extremely helpful
This is a great post! Really helpful especially for first time home owners. There are so many things that you forget about, it’s great to have a reference like this.