Fall Maintenance

Preparing your home for the fall and winter months

In Ontario the first snow fall can be difficult to predict. I don’t know about you, but we seem to wait for that first one before getting around to putting everything away for the season. The weekend after Thanksgiving is often a great time to schedule in the buttoning up of your property. Preparing ahead can save you time and money in the long run. We put together a few quick tips to speed things along and get you back inside and cozy in front of the fire.

Give that patio furniture a quick once over with the power washer. It will increase the life of the furniture and make Spring set-up an easier process. Stack and cover the furniture in shed or garage.

Remove any solar lighting that will be buried by snow and remove batteries. It is definitely too early to turn on the festive holiday lights, however you may want to string a few strands now before the snow flies to avoid the slippery roof once it is snow covered.

Clean out those gutters. It will prevent ice damns and water issues in the spring thaw as well. If you are planning on staying in your current home long term or if you have many mature trees on your property, it may be a good idea to look into a gutter guard system that helps keep those gutters clean with minimal maintenance.

Put your gardens to bed. Some perennials are low maintenance and it is best to leave them until spring, others require fall pruning to come back stronger in the spring. If you are an avid gardener you may think about labelling and documenting what is where and keeping track of the best maintenance schedule.

Once you are done with the power washer, you should make sure that all exterior hoses lines are drained and the water is turned off inside. Water can cause damage you may not be able to see right away and become very costly.

A quick walk around your property will make sure everything is clear and away that could be damaged when buried in snow. And lastly make sure those snow shovels and snow brushes are easily accessible for that first snow fall. It may be a good time to schedule your tire change to get those snow tires ready. And lastly top up your windshield washer fluid with four season or winter fluid. Nothing worse then having to wait out the thaw, to be able to clear your windshield.

Enjoy the final warmer days. And remember if you are considering selling your home through the winter months, it is always beneficial to have exterior pictures with and without snow cover. Reach out if you are considering to make a move. Preparation is key to a quick and stress free move.

Amy Simpson

Sales Representative

EXP Realty Inc. Brokerage