Maintaining your Northeast home in changing seasons is an important part of prepare for seasonal weather changes. Even if you are not from the Northeast, understanding how to take care of your home for whichever season is coming up is important to the overall safety and livability of the home. From preparing for heavy winter snow and rain, to cleaning and caring for during the summer, and everything in between maintenance for each season is purposeful. Use the following tips to get you started.
In the Fall, one of the most important things to do is to clean the gutters and downspouts of your home. Leaves, twigs and different debris can clog these and over time can create problems with the drainage of your home. You will also want to inspect any trees that are around your house, and remove any dead or dying branches that could fall during the winter.
When winter rolls around, you should consider installing vinyl window bars on the exteriors of your home as well as on the second floor windows. This will help to protect your home from break-ins due to the weaker material. Weatherproofing all of the windows on the home is also very important to maximize heat conservation. In addition, you should check the furnace and chimney to make sure that everything is in working order consistently.
Spring Home Maintenance
Once spring rolls around, it is time to consider good landscaping maintenance. Planting trees, shrubs and other foliage can be a great way to keep your home looking it’s best while also helping with air quality and cooling. Make sure to prune back any plants that are starting to encroach on the foundation of the home. Also consider weeding the garden and landscaping bed so as not to lose any newly planted items.
Power washers can also be a great tool to quickly clean the surfaces of your exterior. Decking, patios, and masonry can all be made quickly look refreshed with the help of power washers. You should also inspect any siding on the home, and detect if there is any damage that needs to be repaired or replaced.
Summer Home Maintenance
In the summer, a focus should be put onto the energy efficiency of the home. Check your windows for cracks, and any holes or gaps in the foundation or attic. If you see problems, you can hop to fix them quickly to maintain energy efficiency. Installing insulation in the walls and attic is also an excellent way to make your home energy efficient.
Check your air conditioning filter, and your refrigerator to make sure that it is working optimally. Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doors if needed. Taking the time to complete these maintenance activities over the summer months can help to keep your home functioning during the upcoming winter.
You should also inspect the cleaning of your gutters. Make sure all of the dirt and debris has been cleared out, and that the gutters are in the proper position so that they can properly drain rain in the upcoming months.
Home Maintenance Tips
- Be sure to check your gutters every Fall and Spring for debris
- Install vinyl window bars for an extra layer of security in the winter
- Add insulation to your home where needed
- Weatherproof windows and doors to maintain internal temperature
- Inspect trees around the home during the Fall and Spring and trim accordingly
- Power wash siding, decks, patios and masonry to clean
- Check air conditioning and refrigeration filters regularly
These tips should get you pointed in the right direction when it comes to maintaining your home for each of the four seasons in a Northeast home. Following these steps can help to ensure your home remains safe, energy efficient, and looks great for years to come!