Atlanta is lucky to have all the seasons and by all, we mean, a lot. Butter ATL breaks it down to Summer 1.0, Hell’s Attic, Fake Fall (which is where we are now), Summer 2.0, Real Fall (think post-Halloween), Winter 1.0, Optimist’s Spring, Winter 2.0, Spring of Deception, Winter 3.0, The Pollening, Actual Spring. The bright side is that the brief peek at fall, reminds us to get ready for the season and then brings back 80-degree weather so all the things can be done around the house. Before you dig out the giant Fall Y’all porch sign, make a plan to get the following done.
Here’s a quick checklist of To Do’s to prepare your home that we stole from the Assured Comfort website:
Clean off and cover your outdoor furniture
Plant your bulbs for springtime flowers
Clean the gutters and install gutter guards to prevent backups when the wet season hits
Clean on and around your outdoor HVAC units-obstructions can cause up to a 30% energy increase
Prepare your chimney for cozy nighttime fires with an annual safety inspection and cleaning
Stock up on firewood to enjoy and heat your home
Replace your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Prepare your furnace for heating season with seasonal maintenance
Keep the cold weather out by replacing dry or damaged weather stripping on all doors and windows
Check your home for drafts and cold spots
Check your outside water spigots for leaks and put away all water hoses
Verify all exterior wall water pipes are insulated to prevent freezing and burst pipes
Check all flashlight batteries and stock up on supplies for days with potential power outages.
Prepare your generators and give them a test run
Empty the fuel from summer lawn equipment to prepare for nonusage during the winter months
Check and trim your landscaping for dead or damaged tree limbs
Clean or arrange for your garbage cans to be cleaned out.
A little bit of preparation during Summer 2.0 will ensure that your home will be ready when the leaves actually start falling.
