The clocks are turned back, the sweaters are out of storage, Starbucks debuted their annual red cups, and Target has had Christmas decor for three weeks... it's that time of year, and there's so much to celebrate! Before you go and chop your own tree down, or pull out every chair in your house to host Thanksgiving dinner, here are a few items to take care of around the house:
Leaves: Oh, the joy of jumping in leaf piles! If you don't love this task yourself, see if you can find an energetic young neighbor to help. Our nephews make the best leaf rakers, and they are willing to do the work for a cup of hot cocoa, which is a win for everyone! Put your leaves into a compost pile, or use them as mulch on your vegetable garden and you'll be off to a great start in the Spring. Don't forget to get the leaves out of your gutters too, or you may have rain backups and small critter-friends moving in over the holidays.
Heat: Before you crank your heat up inside, make sure you have your furnace checked! Forced air heaters should be checked every year, and boilers should be checked every two years. While you're at it, make sure you have a clean filter in place. Also take a moment to replace the batteries in your thermostat to make sure you aren't surprised to wake up in a chilly house one morning!
Water: Make sure you've shut-off your exterior water supply and un-hooked your hose so that your water line doesn't freeze when temperatures drop. Also, consider adding insulation to walls that have pipes in them to help prevent frozen and burst pipes.
Steps: Check your walkways, steps, and railings for winter safety. When they get icy, you'll want to make sure you don't have extra hazards from cracks and loose railings, so fix them now before they become a problem! Also be sure you have a strong shovel and some rock-salt on hand so you have the cleanest sidewalk on the block when the snow does come.
Supplies: Be sure you're prepared for the worst on the road and in your home. Put blankets and water bottles into your car, along with instant-hand warmers in case you're stranded on the road. Make sure you have water, food, flashlights, and batteries in case you're snowed in at home.
When the cold weather rolls around, we like to pick one indoor home improvement project to tackle as well. From painting a room, to tiling your backsplash, to de-cluttering your basement, the possibilities are endless, but the payoff is great. Remember the time and energy you spend on your home will come back to you in building equity for years to come. We hope your home will bring you joy with friends and loved ones during this season, and every day.
When Great People love the place they live, Great Things will happen.
Cheers,
Julie & Ted
