Fall Clean-Ups and Winter Preparations
Owning a vacation home isn't all roses and rose' all the time, but you can help yourself by taking care of your home in all 4 seasons. Below we have supplied a quick guide to help you get started with making sure your home is in top shape for winter!
1. Thorough Fall Clean-up
Rake up all leaves and pine needles, inspect all trees for week or already broken limbs that could come down in a winter storm, cut back perennials, and clean out garden beds.
2. Clean Gutters
Keeping your gutters clear and clean prior to winter can be a savior in ice dam prevention.
3. Clean your chimney and fireplace
Check the flue for bird nests, cracks and buildup. Purchase or cut your firewood in the Spring or summer when you don't pay top rate for it.
4. Reverse your ceiling fans
Most ceiling fans have a switch on them to reverse the spin. This is important in the winter, if you reverse the spin you can create an updraft to push the warm air around the room instead of it all rising to the top. In the winter you want your fan to turn clockwise.
5. Check your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguisher
Check batteries and expiration dates, test all the detectors.
6.Replace your furnace filter
You should have your furnace cleaned annually and filters should be replaced up to monthly based on the climate that you live in. Here in Central Oregon, we are on a quarterly schedule.
7. Winterize your lawn tools
This is something that most people forget, but it is definitely worth getting on your list. Be sure to get all the gas out of your machines prior to storing for the winter.
8. Put away all patio furniture
Most patio furniture is not weather resistant and truly will last longer if it is cleaned at the end of the season and under cover for the winter.
9.Close vents and cover outdoor faucets, put away all hoses.
Closing the, securing hose bibs to your outdoor faucets, having your sprinklers blown out and rolling up and storing your hoses will ensure less clean-up in the spring and a warmer winter.
10.Purchase ice melt and shovels so you are always prepared
You can never be too prepared, and you want your guests to be able to shovel a path around their car if needed too.
11. Mow, trim and do final cut and fertilize
This can be done even after your sprinklers have been blown out, you just have to watch the weather and see some precipitation coming in.
12. Clean BBQ and store inside
If you are only going to clean your BBQ once a year, its best to clean it as you are putting it away for the season.
By no means is this the entire of duties that should be completed in the fall and winter but it's a great start and will have you more prepared for Spring when it decides to roll around. No, let's get on to the important stuff! PRAY FOR SNOW!!
1. Thorough Fall Clean-up
Rake up all leaves and pine needles, inspect all trees for week or already broken limbs that could come down in a winter storm, cut back perennials, and clean out garden beds.
2. Clean Gutters
Keeping your gutters clear and clean prior to winter can be a savior in ice dam prevention.
3. Clean your chimney and fireplace
Check the flue for bird nests, cracks and buildup. Purchase or cut your firewood in the Spring or summer when you don't pay top rate for it.
4. Reverse your ceiling fans
Most ceiling fans have a switch on them to reverse the spin. This is important in the winter, if you reverse the spin you can create an updraft to push the warm air around the room instead of it all rising to the top. In the winter you want your fan to turn clockwise.
5. Check your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguisher
Check batteries and expiration dates, test all the detectors.
6.Replace your furnace filter
You should have your furnace cleaned annually and filters should be replaced up to monthly based on the climate that you live in. Here in Central Oregon, we are on a quarterly schedule.
7. Winterize your lawn tools
This is something that most people forget, but it is definitely worth getting on your list. Be sure to get all the gas out of your machines prior to storing for the winter.
8. Put away all patio furniture
Most patio furniture is not weather resistant and truly will last longer if it is cleaned at the end of the season and under cover for the winter.
9.Close vents and cover outdoor faucets, put away all hoses.
Closing the, securing hose bibs to your outdoor faucets, having your sprinklers blown out and rolling up and storing your hoses will ensure less clean-up in the spring and a warmer winter.
10.Purchase ice melt and shovels so you are always prepared
You can never be too prepared, and you want your guests to be able to shovel a path around their car if needed too.
11. Mow, trim and do final cut and fertilize
This can be done even after your sprinklers have been blown out, you just have to watch the weather and see some precipitation coming in.
12. Clean BBQ and store inside
If you are only going to clean your BBQ once a year, its best to clean it as you are putting it away for the season.
By no means is this the entire of duties that should be completed in the fall and winter but it's a great start and will have you more prepared for Spring when it decides to roll around. No, let's get on to the important stuff! PRAY FOR SNOW!!
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