Use Fall to Get Ready for Winter

Fall Maintenance Checklist

1. Turn off the water supply to your exterior faucets, making sure to drain any water from the pipes to protect against bursts.
2. If you’d rather not rake the leaves, use your lawnmower to shred them. They’ll break down over the winter and provide nutrients for your lawn.
3. Weatherize your lawn mower before storing it away for the winter by cleaning off the blades, emptying the gas tank, and changing the oil.
4. Prepare your snow & ice removal tools so you’re ready for the first snowfall- shovels, snowblowers, and ice melt. Make sure you have gas for your snowblower.
5. Put your ice scraper and a small shovel in your car in the event you’re not at home when a snow storm hits.
6. Check the weather stripping and caulking on your door and window frames. To prevent heat from escaping, repair or replace where necessary.
7. Arrange for an annual tune-up of your heating system if you haven’t had one since last heating season. This ensures your system is running efficiently.
8. Adjust your programmable thermostat if needed so your heat is ready to go when the cold weather sets in. Most programmable thermostats run on batteries – be sure to check them if your thermostat won’t turn on.
9. Check and if needed, change your air filters.
10. Make sure your air vents are not obstructed by furniture to prevent your furnace from working harder.