Getting your house ready for the cooler months can be annoying since there are so many different services and projects that you’ll have to do.
For those of you that live in colder regions that experience large amounts of snow, there can be even more involved in your winter preparation processes.
Working on these projects before the fall can make your winterizing process even easier.
Here are six DIY projects that you can complete at home before fall. They’re easy for anyone to do at home, and they don’t require that you hire any services to do them for you.
They also cater to both the inside and outside of your house, so you can better prepare for the colder months to come.
Table of Contents
1. Clean your gutters
Before the fall, you must prepare the external parts of your home for the fall and colder winter months. One of the main projects you’ll need to do before the fall is cleaning out your gutters.
You must do this before and after the fall season because your gutters will likely be full of leaves, twigs, and debris from the summer months and will be even fuller after the leaves have fallen during the autumn season.
Even more, your gutters need to remain clean before the winter months because the snow and ice that appear from the icicles can create an excess weight that they’ll have to withstand.
If your gutters experience too much pressure and weight from the snow, rain or the leaves and debris, your roof can experience damage that you’ll most likely have to pay to get repaired (1).
2. Mulch
You’ll also want to prepare your flowerbeds and garden for the cooler weather by spreading mulch.
There is a variety of different mulch types available, but they all usually feature a thick substance that can help to provide more insulation to the plants during the cooler weather.
Especially for plants and flowers that aren’t equipped to withstand cooler temperatures, insulating them with a thick layer of mulch can provide extra protection from frost and even from insects eating them.
3. Waterproof your basement
If you live in an area that experiences a large amount of snow, then you’ll especially want to waterproof your basement.
The basement is the only solid foundation for your house, making it extremely vulnerable to the melting snow and the ice formations.
The snow itself doesn’t cause problems to your basement, but the snow will melt and may cause leaks.
If your basement isn’t properly protected, then you’ll likely deal with melted snow water that leaks through the walls.
This will cause damage that you’ll have to either fix yourself or hire someone else to. You can browse the market and look for the best basement waterproofing products.
4. Clean the fireplace
You should have a clean fireplace before the cooler months start as well since you’ll likely be using them in the wintertime more often and it’s safe to have them cleaned.
For those of you that have wood fireplaces, you’ll need to clean the place more often because of the wood chips and the ashes that are constantly forming.
You may also want to ensure that you have a large amount of wood stocked up for the cooler months.
If you have a gas fireplace, you’ll still need to ensure that your fireplace stays clean all-year-round.
There may not be as much to clean as those with wood fireplaces, but it’s safe that you get them inspected before the cooler months start.
5. Clean out carpets
Carpets and floors are likely one of the dirtiest things in our home. With carpets especially, dirt and debris can get trapped in between the fibers, making it difficult for us to notice.
That being said, you’ll want to thoroughly clean your carpets before fall and after winter every year. Make sure that you use high-quality cleaning supplies and allow the carpets to fully dry out to prevent mold.
6. Seal leaks
Lastly, you should make sure that any leaks in your house are sealed before the winter. Most leaks will come from the ceiling, sometimes meaning that the attic withstands the majority of the damage from leaks.
And with the melting snow that’s to come, you’ll want to avoid severe damages to your home by properly sealing these leaks.
Whether that’s using foam insulation or patching the roof, you’ll want to effectively seal out any holes or cracks where water or pests can enter your home.
Conclusion
Overall, houses withstand stress and pressure during the winter months, increasing the importance of our caring for them properly.
By partaking in these six home projects before the fall each year, you can better prepare your home for the cooler months to come and eliminate the risk of any damages in the future.
