By Aimee Fuszard, Special to Moonshine Ink
Summer is coming to an end and it’s time to start thinking about winter. To make sure your house is winter ready, there are several home maintenance tasks you need to check off of your list. To make the process easier, it’s helpful to think about tasks for both the inside and outside of your home.
Starting with the outside of the house makes sense, because it’s not unheard of for it to snow in September. Here are our top priorities for the outside of your mountain home.
- Clear leaves and pine needles from roofs and gutters. This task should have been done before fire season, but it’s good to clean them again before winter to keep them clear.
- If you have not had your asphalt repaired and sealed, schedule an estimate and service for September. By October the temperatures are too low at night for sealant to adhere.
- Schedule a chimney inspection and make sure the chimney is clean and clear. Even gas stoves need to be cleaned periodically.
- Sign up for snow removal.
- Service your snowblower and make sure it is ready for any additional clearing needs.
- Cover or store outdoor furniture and barbecues.
- Make sure snow shovels and other clearing tools are accessible.
- Order firewood.
- Remove any items from your driveway, like flower pots, hoses, and garbage cans/green waste containers in preparation for driveway snow removal.
Once you have checked off your outside mountain-home maintenance tasks, you can focus on preparing your indoor space.
- Close foundation vents.
- Check the heating system and schedule service if needed.
- Check windows and doors for air leaks.
- Replace furnace filters. A good rule of thumb is to change 1- to 2-inch filters every three months, 4-inch filters every six months, and 5-inch filters every 12 months.
- Review the settings on your thermostat and adjust to changing temperatures.
- Turn on the heat tape on your roof or furnace condensation line.
As you are likely aware, local mountain home maintenance service providers can be pretty busy through the fall. To make sure you are prepared for winter, schedule your services ahead of time. This will save you time and eliminate the frustration of finding an available provider last minute.
While these are not home maintenance tasks, the following will get you and your crew ready for winter fun!
- Organize and assess your winter gear.
- Tune skis or snowboards and determine if any new gear is needed.
- Bring your coats, boots, and winter clothing in from the garage or sort through what is in your home.
- Make sure sleds and snow toys are still usable.
Fall is a wonderful time of year for hiking, biking, and being on the water. Enjoy your outdoor activities while you check off the home maintenance tasks listed above. It’s time to take a deep breath, enjoy the slower pace of fall, and get ready for winter. Snow is on its way!
~ For more information on mountain home maintenance, please visit elementsmtn.co and follow us on social media.
