By Jessica Brody
Regardless of where in Florida you live, there are many home maintenance tasks to complete for the fall and winter seasons. This checklist from Colorful Clearwater will tell you everything you need to know about preparing your home for the cooler months!
Inspect the Home for Cracks and Gaps
After months of sweltering Florida temperatures, the days finally start to cool toward the end of October — and many homeowners choose to turn off their AC systems and open the windows to let in some fresh air. And while these cooler temperatures are typically welcomed with open arms, the bugs and other pests that tend to enter your home in the fall and winter usually aren’t. As such, it’s important to inspect your home for cracks and gaps to keep pests such as spiders, mice, cockroaches, and ticks out of your home.
Tune Up Your Heating and Cooling Systems
On the topic of cooler temperatures, remember to change your HVAC filters — as these should be replaced every 30 to 90 days. It’s also a good time to service your home’s heating and cooling systems since annual tune-ups improve the performance and energy efficiency of HVAC systems, and reduce the risk of repairs and maintenance throughout the year.
Clean Out the Gutters
Floridians don’t have to worry about falling snow in the winter, but falling leaves and branches are another story. And for homes with gutters and lots of surrounding trees, it’s important to keep gutters clean and free of leaves, sticks, and other debris — as doing so will protect your home and roof from rot, foundation issues, and even pests. Rachel Brougham of Family Handyman shares some gutter cleaning tips for homeowners, or you may choose to pay for professional gutter cleaning services.
Restock Your Disaster Supply Kit
Now that Florida’s hurricane season has officially ended and winter is here, you’ll need to check your household’s emergency supply kit and restock it if necessary. Restock the kit with non-perishable food items, bottled water, batteries, toys, and books.
Make a Few Value-Boosting Home Improvements
In addition to taking care of winter and fall maintenance, now is the perfect time to make a few value-boosting improvements if you’re thinking of selling your house come spring. A few ways to boost your home’s appraisal value include:
- Adding curb appeal to your home.
- Making affordable updates such as painting the walls and replacing the front door.
- Updating areas such as the bathrooms and kitchen.
If you’re considering buying a new home, before buying a house in hurricane-prone states such as Florida, be sure to take each home’s age, roof, windows, and insurance needs into consideration.
The Bottom Line
During winter and fall, it’s a good idea to complete a few home maintenance tasks such as inspecting the property for cracks and cleaning the gutters. Winters in Florida aren’t nearly as harsh as they are in other parts of the U.S., but performing these maintenance tasks will help to prepare your house for the next hurricane season, keep pests out of your home, and save you money on heating, cooling, and costly home repairs.
To learn more about Clearwater and what makes it so special, visit Colorful Clearwater!
Feature photo by Julian Maculan on UnSplash
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