October is right around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about the things you need to do to get your beautiful Tahoe home ready for the colder months ahead. Whether it’s cleaning the gutters or trimming the trees, there are some things you absolutely must do to protect your home and property.
Clean the Gutters
They call it “fall” for a reason. Before you know it, your gutters will be filled to the brim with pine needles and leaves. You absolutely must clean your gutters or you risk water damage to your roof or foundation when your gutters overflow. If you only do this once during the season, make sure to do it after all the leaves have fallen.
Seal Windows
You want to seal any gaps around your home’s doors and windows to prevent heat from escaping during the winter. If you have older windows, you may also want to get a shrink wrap kit to better seal the entire window.
Trim Trees
Beautiful Tahoe Snow and ice can really weigh down the limbs of trees. If you have any limbs dangling over your roof, you want to remove them. Letting these limbs lay on your roof during snow or ice storms can damage your roof.
Mow Leaves
Instead of raking, allow the pine needles and leaves to lay on your grass and mow up the leaves after all the leaves have fallen. This will add mulch to your lawn and keep it healthy throughout the winter. A mulching lawnmower is wonderful!
Get Your Heating System Serviced
The last thing you want is for your heat to go out this winter. In the fall, make an appointment to have your furnace, heat pump, etc serviced so that it’s in good working order when cold weather arrives.
Seal the Driveway
Now is also a great time to seal your driveway. The snow and ice can be really hard on your driveway, especially if you have any cracks where the snow and ice can pack in. It’s actually a fairly easy DIY project. It’s best to do it before the leaves start falling so they don’t get stuck in your sealant.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
You want to reverse how your ceiling fan turns so that the hot air that rises to the ceiling is pushed back down. This will help you keep your heating bills lower.
Swap Out Linens & Drapes
Unpack the comforters and the throws, you’ll be using them any day now. Take down the sheer curtains and put the blinds and drapes back up.
Clear the Deck
Last, but not least, take the time to clear off your deck and put away or (at least) cover any furniture. Tighten any loose screws or lifting nails so it’s easy to shovel off the beautiful Tahoe snow when it falls. Your shoulders will thank you.
It may seem like a lot, but many of these projects take only a few minutes. Create a to-do list and then schedule the items accordingly so that you’re not rushing to do everything at once. Once you’ve finished your list, head over to Freel Perk for a delightful Pumpkin Spiced Latte!
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