Take a minute and check out our About The Murphy Team page to learn more about what sets us apart. Get to know us and please feel free to send questions our way anytime!
A week's worth of leaf raking in this beautiful yard!
In this first post, we would like to share a bit about preparing your home for fall, and very soon, winter. There are a few things you can do to ensure your home is protected for the upcoming harsher weather. Most of these are with-in our abilities as average homeowners, and as you're putting our your pumpkins and mums, consider taking a look at these items as well.
Exterior
- Check your gutters: Clean leaves and gunk out of your gutters and downspouts. You don't want anything freezing there over the next few months!
- Check your windows and exterior door frames: Make sure there are no gaps or cracks, and if there are, repair them with weather stripping or caulking. (This will help keep your utility lower too!)
- Inspect your roof: You don't need to climb up on your roof, but look closely for missing shingles or shingles that might be "curling" up and exposing the roof to the elements.
- While you're looking at your roof, check your vents as well. Are they clear, corroding, or leaking?
- Peruse your Pavement: Repair any cracks or damage in your driveway, steps, or sidewalks. We don't want those causing issues when there is ice and snow on the ground!
- Drain and winterize your outdoor faucets. They could burst if they expand when it freezes. It's best to detach outdoor hoses and store them in the garage for the winter.
Interior
- Check out your furnace. When it gets cold, you want it to be heating efficiently and safely.
- Refresh your filters: This is the perfect time to replace the old, dirty filters in your vents.
- Fireplace tune-up: If you have a fireplace, carefully check it for any blockages or soot build up. This one might be best left to a professional chimney sweep!
- Test your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and any other precautionary items you have in your home.
- General clean up: Prepare your home to be comfortable, clean, and safe for your family, as you will likely be indoors a lot more with shorter days and colder temperatures.
We would welcome winter in this cozy dream home!
What do you do each fall to ensure your home is prepared to go into the winter months? We would love to hear from you!
