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GET YOUR HOME READY FOR FALL






















As the warm months of summer come to an end, consider these quick — but important — home maintenance tasks to finish before fall:
  1. Check window seals. Examine the edges of your windows to ensure the caulk shows no gaps. You can tell if a window needs new glaze by lightly tapping the window pane. If it rattles in its frame, new glaze needs to be applied, which will save on your heating bill come fall.
  2. Swap out summer plants. Transition your yard from the high maintenance flowers of summer to more hardy plants that will survive the first frost. Good plants for cool weather include pansies and garden mums. Also, now is a good time to prepare for spring blossoms, so plant your tulip and daffodil bulbs.
  3. Safety check your chimney. If you have a chimney, regular maintenance is a must to ensure safety. Have it professionally cleaned and inspected this year, and don’t forget to gather enough firewood to get the season started!
  4. Inspect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Dangerous carbon monoxide leaks can lead to serious harm when a home is sealed up as it is during cold weather. House fires are most likely to occur during the cold months when people use candles, Christmas trees and fireplaces. Make sure your safety detectors are in proper working order before the cold weather arrives, and rest easy.
  5. Store outdoor items. Do a clean sweep of your yard, tidying away garden hoses and patio furniture for next year. This gives your curb appeal a boost and also helps you avoid frozen hoses and moldy furniture later in the season.

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