How to prepare your home for fall in South West Florida 

It would be wonderful if all you had to do to prepare your home for fall was hang a wreath and light some pumpkin spice candles. Although those are crucial for getting ready for the change of seasons, there are more important (and not exactly fun) preparations that come with being a homeowner. Take a look at these tips before you transition from hot summer days to cool nights...and eventually freezing temperatures.

• Clean, or possibly replace, your gutters.

It's so easy for you to take your gutters for granted, that you forget how much they drain from your roof each year until they don't. When they become clogged, you can suffer interior flooding and exterior damages. Therefore, they should be cleaned and replaced if necessary. 

• Check for drafts.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that 25-30 percent of heating energy is lost through windows. This doesn't have to be the case, because weatherstripping is simple and probably the most cost-effective way to reduce your heating costs. It might be time to contact a professional and have your windows checked and possibly updated if you find that your house is losing a lot of heat.

• Drain your outdoor faucets.

The fall weather can quickly turn to ice and snow. The time has come to drain all garden hoses and disconnect them from outdoor faucets to prevent them from freezing. It is important to do this to prevent your pipes from bursting and flooding your home. 

Even if you live in a mild area, this might still be a good idea since you never know when a cold front will come through that could cause your pipes to burst.

• Bring your outdoor furniture in.

Doesn't your outdoor furniture belong outside? That doesn't mean you should keep it outdoors during hurricanes and snowstorms. It cost you money and time to set up that outdoor space, so if you want to use it again, store it in a garage or shed. In case you have no place to store the items, you should cover them with waterproof furniture covers.

• Fix any cracks in your driveway.

When water gets into cracks, it freezes, expands, and can make the crack even larger. If there are enough small cracks, they can grow into larger ones, and eventually, the concrete will crumble. Plus, probably you'd prefer a driveway that doesn't have a giant pothole. Fill up the crack with concrete crack sealer and you're good to go.

• Change your filters.

Another expense in your house that could be unnecessary. Clogged filters make it harder to keep your home at the desired temperature, which will increase your heating costs. Do not only clean the filters before the fall but do this monthly. You can vacuum disposable filters a single time before you replace them, but not foam filters. 

• Fertilize your lawn.

To keep your lawn looking great in the spring and summer, you must prepare it for the fall and winter. When the grass isn't growing, the roots are still active, so applying fertilizer will prevent winter damage. Also, it will help your lawn turn green faster in the spring. 

• Test winter equipment.

Be sure to test all of your winter equipment, well before winter hits. Get those snow blowers, ice scrapers and house heaters serviced to ensure a smooth sailing winter. 

• Change your batteries.

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked once a year. You might as well add this on since you are already testing all the other stuff while getting ready for winter. 

If you had water damage or storm damage in the spring or summer, now is the time to get those repaired and winter-proofed. Get in touch with us at Restoration 1 of SW Florida and we will take care of you!