Late-Season Weekend Projects: Outdoors
September 19, 2010, By Charles Manley 0 comments
Fall is a great time to spruce up the house and weatherize it for the rough winter months ahead.
Clean out the dryer vent and filter. The filter hose and vent on the outside of the house can get clogged with lint. In the dry winter weather, it can catch fire. It's a good idea to make sure it's clean while the weather is pleasant instead of checking it in a few inches of snow.
Check and clean your chimney and heating vents. Check for nesting birds. Clean out any excess residue and inspect the brick for cracks.
Put up storm windows and doors. If you live in an older home, you probably have to put up storm windows and doors. This helps reduce drafts.
Caulk and weatherize windows and doors. Depending on the material you use, the caulk around windows and doors needs to be replaced every few years.
Fertilize the lawn. Fall is the best time of year to plant a lawn and add fertilizer. Mow the lawn to a height of 3 inches or more and the roots will grow deeper than if you mow it short. Add fertilizer in the fall to get the soil ready for rapid growth in the spring. Mulch fallen leaves with your lawnmower and place them around trees, flowerbeds and bushes. By spring, the mulch will be incorporated into the soil and add extra nutrients.
Check and repair rain gutters. With the extra snow and rain of winter, you'll want your rain gutters in proper working order. Clean out the gutters and fix damage caused by the extra weight of wet autumn leaves.
Start composting. A nutrient-rich compost will help in the spring for growing flowers and vegetables. Almost 30 percent of a household's garbage is made up of organic material. Save your organic garbage from the landfill and turn it into fertilizer for spring vegetables and flower gardens. Compost typically doesn't smell fantastic. Get rid of the worst smells by starting your compost in the fall.
