You’re back from vacation, there’s no holiday in sight, and the days are still long and hot. Need something to do? It’s the perfect month to go through your End-of-Summer To-Do List. Don’t let the busy days of autumn sneak up on your family. It’s time to show demanding September who’s boss.
Prep Your Furnace for Winter
Yes, we know it’s hot outside, but you know what happens after hot. Cold. Your furnace is more likely to go on the blink in the dead of winter. Have your furnace inspected by a professional and make sure it’s ready to go when the temps drop. Maintaining your furnace in the summer will be more cost-effective than emergency calls in the winter. Furthermore, a service professional can ensure your system is safe to run after being dormant all summer.
Clean and Store Summer Gear
As August winds down, clean and store summer toys and sports gear. Don’t throw everything into a corner in your garage. Be organized in your approach to storage. Label and organize your gear in storage bins on shelves in your garage. Get bikes up off the garage floor and onto racks if possible. Wash and store pool or beach toys. Hose down outdoor chairs and tables before covering them. Remember, take time to organize as you go. As a result, you will be patting your own back when it comes time to drag everything out again in spring.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is a chore best tackled when the weather is warm. Do this as a preventive measure rather than during an emergency situation. Rotting leaves and debris can lead to improper draining. Your gutters and downspouts should divert water away from your home’s foundation. Furthermore, water seeping into your home’s foundation can cause major damage over time. Also, check the underside of the eaves for staining which may indicate a leak. Learn more about How to Clean Your Gutters Like a Boss.
Inspect Your Roof
Look for missing shingles, cracked or curling shingles, or areas where shingles are crumbling. For slate and tile roofs look for cracked and broken pieces. Check for wood rot and holes, especially on flat roofs. Trim away branches that touch your roof. If your roof is covered in shade make sure there’s no moss present. Moss may cause your roof to degrade, so follow these steps to remove moss from your roof.
Examine Your Asphalt and Concrete
Take a walk along your driveway and your sidewalks so you can check for cracks or buckling. Aside from being a tripping hazard, fissures can allow water in and will degrade your walkways and driveway even more as the winter months approach.
Considering a new driveway? Here are a few ideas for The Perfect Driveway Paver.
Clean Your Kitchen
As August closes out, so does the relaxation of late dinners. Get your kitchen prepped for busy weeknights by first cleaning your cabinets inside and out. Throw out expired and stale pantry items. Also, clean your fridge inside and out. Go through those containers lurking in the back shelves and discard anything with hair. Finally, dig into your freezer. If you can’t tell what it is by sight, smell, touch, or label, chuck it!
Stock Your Emergency Kit
We know it’s not a typical topic for Your End-of-Summer To-Do List, but is your emergency preparedness kit ready? Build one if you haven’t already done so, because weather-related emergencies can happen at any time. Consequently, this may mean a loss of electricity, fresh water, and food supplies. The American Red Cross has a great list of what you and your family should have in stock for emergencies. Some of them might even surprise you.
Who is ever really ready for the bustle of fall? But with Your End-of-Summer To-Do List under your belt, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy these waning, summer nights. Now, most importantly, you can tell September to “bring it on!”