It would be ideal if you only had to hang a wreath and light a few pumpkin spice candles to prepare for fall. While those are important to prepare for the change of seasons, there are more important (and not exactly fun) preparations that come with being a homeowner. Check out these tips before you transition from hot summer days to cool nights...and eventually to freezing temperatures.

• Clean, or possibly replace, your gutters.

So often, we simply take our gutters for granted that we neglect to realize how much water they drain from our roof every year until they fail. If they become clogged, you can suffer interior flooding and exterior damage. As a result, they need to be cleaned or replaced as necessary each year. 

• Check for drafts.

It is estimated that 25-30 percent of heating energy is lost through windows. However, weatherstripping is a simple and probably the most cost-effective way to reduce your heating bills. If you find that your house is losing a lot of heat, it might be time to contact a professional and have your windows checked and possibly updated.

• Drain your outdoor faucets.

Winter can arrive quickly with ice and snow. To prevent the hoses from freezing, it is imperative to drain all garden hoses and unplug them from outdoor faucets. Doing this will prevent your pipes from bursting and flooding your home. 

It may still be necessary to do this even if your climate is mild because you never know when a cold front will pass and cause your pipes to burst.

• Bring your outdoor furniture in.

Isn't your outdoor furniture supposed to be outdoors? This doesn't mean you should leave it outside in the middle of a hurricane or a snowstorm. Since you spent time and money to set up the outdoor space, you should store it in a garage or shed if you intend to reuse it in the future. The items can be covered with waterproof furniture covers if there is no place to store them.

• Fix any cracks in your driveway.

Water can get into cracks, freeze, and expand, resulting in larger cracks. Over time, cracks can grow into larger ones, which eventually cause the concrete to crumble. Additionally, you probably prefer a driveway that does not have a big pothole. Using concrete crack sealer, you can fill in the crack.

• Change your filters.

This is another expense in your house that could be avoided. A clogged filter makes it harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, driving up your heating costs. It is highly recommended that you clean your filters every month, not just yearly. Disposable filters can be vacuumed only once before they need to be replaced, but foam filters cannot. 

• Fertilize your lawn.

If you want your lawn to look great in the spring and summer, you must prepare it for the fall and winter. Even when the grass is not growing, the roots are still active, so fertilizer can prevent winter damage. Additionally, it will help your lawn turn green faster in the spring. 

• Test winter equipment.

Make sure you test all of your winter equipment well before winter arrives. To ensure a smooth sailing winter, have your snow blowers, ice scrapers, and house heaters serviced. 

• Change your batteries.

A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector should be checked annually. You might as well add this on since you are already testing all the other stuff while getting ready for winter. 

If water or storm damage occurred in the spring or summer, now is the time to have them repaired and winterized. Let REZ Home Services handle your restoration needs!