Get your house ready for fall! Here in South Carolina summers last a little longer. But don’t be fooled! Before you know it, the leaves will be turning colors and falling off the trees. It would be great if all you had to do to get ready for the season’s change was hang a wreath, put out a pumpkin and drink a pumpkin spice latte. But there are some not-so-fun things homeowners have to do. Even though summer is not quite over, this is the perfect time to plan for fall. And if you do things little by little instead of last minute you will breathe a sigh of relief, kick up your feet and drink that latte when the cold weather sets in. Here are 7 simple tips for getting your home ready for fall.
GET YOUR HOUSE READY FOR FALL
- Clean Out Gutters – Unfortunately, you should check you gutters at the end of each season to make sure they are draining properly. You don’t want to find out the hard way (read: leaks in the house and foundation) that they are clogged and need some TLC. Put on gloves, take your garden trowel up the ladder with you and you are ready to begin. If your gutters are more than one story off the ground you may want to hire a handy man for safety’s sake.
2. Fix Cracks in Sidewalks and Driveways – You will need some concrete crack sealer, a trowel or tool to smooth with, and a dry paint brush. Fill the crack and a little of the surrounding area. Smooth it out with a trowel, feathering the compound out to create a seamless surface. Brush the surface with a dry paint brush to texture the area and wipe away any loose excess. Let the compound cure as directed.
3. Inspect Fences – Most experts recommend that you stain your fence every 2 – 3 years to protect it from weather damage and maintain its beauty. Do a quick check around the perimeter – front and back – to see how it is holding up. Staining your fence can be an good DIY project, but be prepared to select the proper stain, pressure wash, and paint with a sprayer, brushes and/or rollers. Allow several days for your project. If the job is too big call a professional.
4. Winterize the Lawn – Between September 15 – October 15 you will want to to apply weed and grass stopper. Remember…the best offense is a good defense. It will make weeds easier to control in the spring and your grass will green up sooner. While your at it…weed and edge your beds spread some pine straw or mulch. Step back and enjoy!
5. Clean the Garage – Is “clean the garage” always on your to-do list? If you assess and clean every fall, that task will get easier each year. Start by divide items into 4 categories. Keep, sell, donate, throw away – and follow through. Sweep and/or wash and rinse the floor. At this point you may want to consider an epoxy garage floor. Do you need some storage? There are lots of options. You can add wall shelves, hooks, meta units, peg boards and more to fit your needs. Replace your items and -voila! – transformation complete.
6. Paint – If your home hasn’t been painted in the last 7 – 10 years, it is seriously time to have it done. Not just for the sake of appearance, but a neglected exterior can be big, costly problems in the future. Skirt the house and look for signs of fading, rotting wood, damaged caulking, bubbling or peeling paint. If your house is in good shape, just add a splash of color by repainting your front door in a vibrant shade. If the job is too big, trust the painting to a professional.
7. Bring in Furniture and Plants and Cover Fountains – This can really wait until (almost) the last minute. Allow time to rinse off or scrub everything before you store items. They will be ready to go in the spring when you are! Some plants (like geraniums) will overwinter in your garage room – as long as there is a natural light source.
There are plenty of other jobs to do around the house if you have the time. Start with this check list and as you finish up you can ass one or two more items to the list that need to be done. As a homeowner, the feeling of accomplishment is great! So… get your house ready for fall!
At Colatown Painting, we are ready to help you in any season. Just give Britt a call 803-603-6486 or send a e-mail to ellisb@colatownpainting.com for a free, no-obligation estimate. Superb service, excellent reviews!
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