[READ A BIT BLOG] Autumn Outdoor Checklist
The fresh crisp mornings of autumn are here!
The kids are back in school; the leaves are turning their beautiful colors of red, yellows, and oranges; the days are getting shorter. And, we’re experiencing our first “frost” this week. All signs that our days of lingering outdoors in warmer temps are coming closer to an end.
For homeowners, this means we have a few things we need to take care of outdoors before temps drop below 32 degrees for an extended period of time and the snow begins to fall.
So here’s our list of “Autumn To Do’s“:
Collect and clean delicate statuary and other decorative items from the gardens.
Cover concrete bird baths and tall statuary with plastic.
Cut down some of the fall perennials in the garden(s) leaving others standing at full height to add interest to the yard during the winter months.
Schedule a time to have the in-ground sprinkler system blown free of water.
Disconnect all garden hoses and other metal hardware from exterior water spigots to prevent damage to the pipes. Failing to remove garden hoses and any other accessories from your home’s spigots in the fall causes water to remain in the pipe, it freezes, and damages interior pipes.
(There’s a lesson to be learned with this item: A friend of mine failed to do this item on the checklist. They failed to remove the attachment to the exterior spigot. Spring came along; the garden hose was re-attached and they began power washing the home’s siding. Three hours later, they found water on the floor in the lower level bedroom- which is on the same side of the house as the water spigot. Of course, unplanned water damage repairs to the wall followed after that. The carpet also needed to be pulled up so the cement floor could dry to prevent mold from setting in.)
If there is one item on this checklist I want you to remember, it is this one!!
Drain and store garden hoses.
Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent ice build-ups and ensure free flow of rain and melting snow in the gutter system.
Wash exterior windows.
Check external doors; replace weatherstripping, if needed, to prevent the transfer of heat and cold drafts in the house.
If we are fortunate to have Indian Summer, you may have the opportunity to touch up paint on house trim, railings and decks. But be sure to read the temperature limitations on the paint can first.
Pick up fall leaves and winterize the lawn.
Clean and store patio chairs, tables and chair cushions.
We hope you find this checklist useful.
Enjoy the blessings of this fall season. We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs!!
New Century Real Estate is an energetic team that helps you fully understand the process of purchasing and/or selling a home. Be sure to ask us about savings available for local Hometown Heroes who buy or sell a home with a New Century Real Estate Agent.
