🎃☕ Fall is officially here — pumpkin spice latte lovers rejoice! And with the change of seasons comes a special set of chores to keep your home maintained and prepared for the winter months ahead. Keep reading to get the scoop on these essential October to-dos.
1. Clear clutter in the mudroom or entryway.
The mudroom and entryway tend to become a catch-all as time goes on. Go through all baskets, outerwear, and shoes and store anything that may be out-of-season. You can store these in vacuum bags or clear storage totes and stow everything away until next spring. While you’re at it, evaluate your storage and how things are organized. Getting things off the floor will make the space feel bigger and streamline any comings and goings moving forward. Maybe you could use a new shoe rack, or wall-mounted key hooks or shelves. Feel free to play around with different ideas — everyone’s needs are unique and your space might need a creative approach!
2. Dust and vacuum heating elements
It’s almost time to fire up the furnace or wood burning stove for the first time all year — be sure to clean off all dust that’s collected over the last six months and reduce the possibility of a house fire. Grab your shop vac and brush attachment and get into all those heating grates, baseboard heaters, and around your wood burning stoves to suck up any dust and cobwebs. When you’re done, give them a once-over with a microfiber duster to pick up any remaining dust bunnies.
3. Check Safety Devices
With smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and HVAC filters being more “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” than other home systems, it’s easy to overlook maintenance for them. Test all batteries and replace your air filters to ensure all your systems are in good working condition and are performing efficiently. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace if needed.
4. Start thinking about the holidays
It’s never too early to be prepared! Get ahead of the game (and any sales!) by getting a gift list together for your loved ones. I like to time certain purchases with annual sales — think Small Business Saturday or end-of-season clearance. Maybe Dad is in need of a new drill or miter saw — add our Pro Days event (December 5–7, 2023) to your calendar to stop in and snag some amazing deals on power tools and accessories! You can also keep an eye out for our monthly sale flyers, which are chock-full of savings and ideas for even the hardest people to buy for.
Since we’re on the topic of holidays, have you started to plan your exterior decorations? Be prepared this year with the right extension cords and sufficient power strips to avoid any fire hazards. Pro-tip: Add an indoor/outdoor timer to your setup to turn the lights off during the daytime hours and save on your electricity bill!
5. Handle any leftover leaves
Having leaves on your lawn when the snow comes can wreak havoc on your grass — not to mention are a huge pain to clean up after it melts! Make sure to rake or scoop them all up before the weather turns. You can rake them into a big leaf pile for the kiddos to jump in for an afternoon before you bag them up with a yard waste bag or add them to your compost bin.
6. Install de-icing cables on your roof
Icicles are super pretty, but can also cause some gnarly damage to your roof, gutters, and siding over time. Get ahead of the snow and ice damming by installing roof and gutter de-icing cables this month. Available in multiple lengths, and with easy to install clips, there’s no reason not to get these put up on your home this year.
7. Protect your outdoor cooking investments
If you use your grill year-round, consider investing in a grill cover and relocating it to an easy to access, protected area such as a garage or under an overhang. Doing so will not only preserve the finish of your grill, but will prevent it from piling up with heavy snow. Depending on the grill you have, Kenyon Noble is sure to have a grill cover to fit. Stop in at a store near you and speak with our friendly and helpful staff and protect your outdoor cooking experience today.
8. Tend to outdoor water sources
We’re already seeing overnight temperatures plummet — it’s time to shut off those exterior faucets and store your garden hoses for the winter. Don’t forget to drain your hoses before rolling them up and shut off the water supply to the spigot to prevent frozen pipes. While you’re at it, add a protective cover to keep any faucets from freezing over.
9. Trim tree limbs
Dead tree limbs are likely to break and fall under the weight of ice and snow. Stop it before it happens and use a lopper for smaller branches, a power hatchet for larger ones, and a pole saw for those out of reach.
Do your trees need a little more love than you have to give? Hire a licensed arborist to come out and evaluate your trees before the snow flies.
10. Inspect your roof and gutters
Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause damage to your roof and siding if not monitored. Take a few minutes on a Sunday to clear out any existing debris to ensure things drain properly over the next couple months and avoid any costly repairs down the road. Make an easy job of this task by using a lightweight, handheld blower so you can get back to watching the game in no-time at all.
While do-it-yourself projects can be fun and fulfilling, there is always a potential for personal injury or property damage. We strongly suggest that any project beyond your abilities be left to licensed professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and we assume no responsibility or liability for the contents of this article.