With a shortage in the supply of houses, many homebuyers may opt to get anything available in the market. The situation resulted from the unanticipated increase in the demand for homes in the middle of the pandemic. Unfortunately, it also caused house prices to go up.
Despite this, many people are still checking the market for any available home for sale. Some homes may have issues that require some maintenance, which may be why some of them cost lower than the current market price.
And with fall coming, it’s best for these homeowners to start preparing their homes for the next season. Here are the things new homeowners should do before fall comes.
Clean the Gutters and Downspouts
The first thing you can do is clean the gutter and downspout. Homeowners can also replace the gutter in case cleaning is not possible anymore. A clogged gutter will cause the water to seep into the interior of the home, which can cause a lot of damage.
Homeowners should also ensure that the downspout directs the water away from the soil around the foundation to avoid saturating it. They can connect their downspouts to pipes that direct rainwater away from the house. Setting up a system that harvests rainwater is another good idea.
Drain Hoses and Outdoor Faucets
Since winter comes after fall, homeowners should make sure to drain the hoses and outdoor faucets. This prevents the water from freezing and keeps the pipes from bursting. Installing frost-free faucets is another option since these faucets have a shut-off valve that extends into the house, which is heated during the cold months. The water between the outlet and the valve drains after using the faucet. But homeowners should disconnect the hose to prevent water from freezing.
Repair Driveway Cracks
Homeowners should also check the driveway of their property for cracks. If there are cracks, they should repair these cracks before fall comes. Water that goes into the cracks will expand when they freeze, which means the homeowners will have a bigger problem since the crack will grow bigger. If the driveway has many cracks, the concrete may deteriorate when the water in them expands. Additionally, homeowners may want to avoid have holes in their driveway. They can fill up these cracks with a concrete crack sealer.
Take Care of the Lawn
Taking care of the lawn should also be on the list of homeowners when they prepare for fall. Even if the grass is not growing, the roots remain active. With this, they should make sure to add fertilizer to the lawn before fall and winter comes. When spring comes, homeowners will see that their lawn turns green faster compared to not adding fertilizer before fall.
Look for Drafts
Since they bought pre-built homes, new homeowners may not be aware of everything in their homes. Due to this, they should check for any drafts around the house. Reducing air leaks in the house allows homeowners to save on heating and cooling costs.
Homeowners can test the airtightness of their homes before they weatherstrip and caulk windows and doors where the air leaks. They should also check the areas where ducting, wiring, and plumbing enters the house. Installing foam gaskets behind switch and outlet plates can also help reduce air drafts in the house.
If the house has a chimney, homeowners can use fire-resistant material to seal air leaks. They can also install door bottoms with pliable sealing gaskets to stop drafts through the doors. When there are large gaps in windows and baseboards, homeowners can seal them using foam sealant.
Store Outdoor Furniture Inside
Homeowners should also make sure they store outdoor furniture inside before fall. While these may be designed for the outdoors, they may not withstand a snowstorm. They can bring the furniture outside when the weather is already better. They can store it in the garage or a shed. Homeowners can also get waterproof furniture cover for outdoor furniture if there’s o space in the garage or shed.
Replace the Filters
Changing the air filters is also essential when homeowners prepare for fall. When spring and summer came, the house’s heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system collected dust and allergens to ensure the home is cool and clean for its inhabitants. Unfortunately, at this point, the filters may already be clogged. This makes it necessary to replace them. Aside from keeping the air inside clean, it also reduces energy bills since the HVAC system does not have to work hard to keep the home comfortable for the homeowner.
After buying a house, homeowners should check it to prepare it for fall and winter.
