40 Tasks All Homeowners Should Finish Before the First Frost
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about 40 Tasks All Homeowners Should Finish Before the First Frost and hope the blog can help you.
From closing down the deck and garden to making sure your heating system is working, there’s plenty to be done in the autumn months. Which tasks will you take on this weekend?
Fall Fix Ups
When the dog days of summer give way to autumn’s cooler temperatures, it’s time to get your house in shape for the change of seasons. Fall is the ideal time of year to work outside because there’s just enough of a nip in the air to make being outdoors pleasant, but not so much that you need a heavy coat. Before Old Man Winter comes calling, take advantage of these temperate days to tackle this seasonal to-do list.
Mulch Garden Beds
As the weather gets cooler, it’s time to put your garden to bed under a blanket of mulch. Protect annuals and perennials from the cold by covering them with a 2- to- 4-inch layer of organic material, such as shredded wood or wood chips, shredded leaves, or straw. For shrubs, trees, and rosebushes, wait to spread mulch until later in the season, when the soil is cool but not yet frozen.
Deadhead Garden Plants
Insects love nothing better than overwintering beneath dead flowers, leaves, and other plant material. Roll up the welcome mat by raking away fallen leaves, deadheading annuals, pruning perennials and roses, and clearing out your summer vegetables before the first frost.
Bring in Container Plants
Once nighttime temperatures sink below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time for your tender container plants to move indoors for the season. Before carrying them into your house or to a protected spot in the garage, first clip away any dead or damaged leaves and branches, and then check carefully for insects.
Plant Bulbs
Nothing says spring is coming like colorful tulips, daffodils, crocuses, irises, and hyacinths, but if you want to enjoy these beauties in your spring garden, you need to plant bulbs in the fall. As a general rule, northern gardeners plant spring-blooming bulbs in late September through mid-October, while southern gardeners can wait until mid-October or early November.
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Seal Drafts
Keep warm air in and cold air out, and reduce your heating bills at the same time, by taking care of any leaky doors or windows now. Check for drafts by turning off fans or air conditioners, then holding a lit stick of incense near doors and windows. If the smoke wavers or is sucked outside, you know you have a problem. The solution is simple: Caulk any cracks or chips around windows, and install weatherstripping to ward off drafts around doors.
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Check Smoke Detectors
According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of every five residential fire deaths occur in a home that either has no smoke detector at all, or a smoke detector with nonfunctioning batteries. Don’t let your family become a statistic. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the very least twice a year, once in the fall and again in the spring.
Inspect the Fireplace
It’s a good idea to have your home’s chimney inspected and swept before fireplace season gets underway. This job is best done by a pro—expect to pay around $150 to $200 for a professional chimney inspection—but if you’re comfortable on the roof, you can do some preliminary work yourself.
First, clear out any fallen leaves, birds’ nests, or other debris from the chimney, and repair any small cracks in the masonry with refractory cement, which is formulated to withstand high heat. Ensure that the damper moves smoothly and isn’t cracked, rusted, or warped, and then clean away soot, creosote, and ash.
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Paint Your Entry Door Trim
If you’ve been thinking that your entry door could use a refresh, a new coat of paint on the surrounding door trim can help. Entry doors and trim are hard workers in most homes, and they have the scuffs and smudges to show it. Just painting the trim and cleaning the door will give the entry a more polished look.
Before the weather turns colder and it’s time for trick-or-treaters, Thanksgiving guests, and holiday visitors to come knocking, take some time to paint the trim. Clean the trim, let it dry, and then apply exterior paint. Most choose gloss or semi-gloss when painting trim. Two coats should be enough to protect the trim and keep it looking fresh for a year or more, depending on the weather and how busy your household is.
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Reseed the Lawn
Want your lawn to look its best come springtime? Then sow grass seed in early through mid-fall. Reseeding the lawn gives gardeners in cold-winter areas a head start on spring. As the weather warms up, the grass will germinate, crowd out weeds, and develop a strong root system before the high heat of summer.
If you live in a warm-winter region and want to keep your grass green all season long, sow annual ryegrass in the early fall. This quick-sprouting grass will look great through the chilly months and then die down once higher temperatures return in the summer.
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Seal the Driveway
If you have an asphalt driveway, reseal it in the fall when temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and no rain is in the forecast. For most areas, that means late September to early October. To start, sweep away dirt, leaves, and other debris from the asphalt, and then pour asphalt sealant over the driveway. Using an asphalt squeegee, evenly spread the sealant across the driveway’s entire surface. Let the sealant cure for at least 24 hours before parking on the driveway.
Inspect the Roof
Winter can be hard on your roof, when rain, snow, freezing temperatures, and high winds all take their toll. That’s why fall is the best time to make sure your roof is up to the challenge and complete any necessary repairs before cold weather sets in. You can hire a professional for this service or, if you’re up to the task, do it yourself.
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Buy a Better Rake
Autumn means raking leaves, and raking leaves can mean back pain. Make the job easier on yourself by buying a good rake. The right one is long enough so you don’t need to bend over, has flexible yet durable tines to easily scoop up debris, and has a comfortable, ergonomically designed grip so your hands don’t feel the strain. Our researched guide to the best leaf rakes contains some terrific options, whatever your needs and budget.
Organize the Mudroom
In most regions, fall brings rain—and a parade of muddy shoes. Get your mudroom ready for the season by setting out a large mat to absorb water and a tray to hold wet, muddy boots and shoes. If you don’t already have one, add a bench where you can sit and pull on your boots, and consider including a coat rack or wall hooks to hold jackets, umbrellas, and scarves.
Plant a Tree
As they say, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second best time is now. If “now” happens to be autumn, you’re in luck! The cooler temperatures and moisture help the tree establish roots before the hot and stressful summer weather.
To ensure success, mulch your newly planted tree to keep the roots insulated. Water regularly if there’s not enough rain, but don’t fertilize until spring. Avoid heavy pruning, other than trimming away any broken branches. And if a severe cold snap is in the forecast, wrap a blanket or piece of burlap over the tree for a little extra protection while it gets established.
Create a Command Center
With summer fun in the rearview mirror, fall is the time for getting back to business. Creating an organization HQ for the whole family is a great way to help you stay on task. Put it in a central location like the kitchen, mudroom, or back entryway, where the whole family can see it.
Include a large wall calendar or weekly schedule, a dry erase board for appointment reminders or shopping lists, and a bulletin board for important announcements or incoming and outgoing school forms. If your family uses a chore chart or meal planning chart, this would be the place to put it. Set up caddies to collect keys and other daily necessities so they’ll be easy to find and won’t clutter up the rest of the house.
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Drain Your Water Heater
Drain your hot water heater to remove accumulations of lime and other minerals that naturally occur in your tap water. When left untreated, this buildup can keep your appliance from functioning its best and put your system at risk for leaks and other problems. It’s an easy enough job to do yourself, but if you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, call a pro to do it for you. Simple though it may seem, this one task can lengthen the life of your water heater and prevent the system from malfunctioning down the line.
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Prevent Mice From Moving In
As temperatures drop, mice and other pests will be looking for a warm place to bunk, which is all well and good unless they choose your home as their winter retreat. Stay pest-free by doing a walkabout around the exterior and through the interior of your house, plugging any potential points of entry with caulk or steel wool. Keep in mind that mice can enter your home through a dime-size hole, so pay attention to even the smallest cracks.
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Put Away Patio Furniture
Fall leaves and winter snow can cause your patio furniture to fade, stain, and rust, so protect it by covering it with outdoor-rated patio furniture covers or placing it inside your shed, garage, or screened porch.
Before you stow it for the season, give patio furniture a proper cleaning with mild soap and water to remove dust, pollen, and mold. Treat wicker with lemon oil to keep it moisturized over the dry winter months and protect it from mildew.