for Home Maintenance and Winter Preparation
Most of you who have worked with me have heard me say: “it’s a privilege to live in your home AND a responsibility. Ah the responsibility part–home maintenance. November is a good month to do some maintenance and winter prep. I can always help with the organizing piece….
· Check your roof for damage and leaks and your eaves for leaves and debris or have a professional company do it.
· Clear gutters and drainpipes and make sure they drain water away from the house.
· Clean drain basins of debris.
· Trim bushes and trees back at least 1’ from your house.
· Replace filters in your heating system or HVAC company do it.
· Schedule a cleaning for your chimney.
· Set your ceiling fans to run clockwise.
· Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Test them.
· Replace door weather seals as needed. Repair locks so doors seal tightly.
· Consider caulking with clear silicone around windows. If you have storm windows, lower them.
· Cut down the garden, except for shrubs.
· Plant spring-blooming bulbs.
· Plant deciduous trees and shrubs through November but wait until spring to plant evergreens.
· Clean and store garden furniture, stakes, and container pots. Clean with a solution of chlorine-free bleach, Spic and Span or Dirtex.
· Cover patio furniture in tarps, plastic sheeting or customized covers.
· Shut off outside water, disconnect hoses, and have your irrigation system serviced for winter.
· Clean and fill bird feeders. Stock up on bird seed.
· Buy an outdoor water-heating unit to keep your birdbath from freezing.
· Organize and declutter your home in preparation for the holidays. I can help with this one.
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