DIY Fix-Ups for Fall: Get Ready for Texas Winter

It’s October, and the cooler weather reminds us to start preventative home maintenance. It’s the perfect time to tackle those DIY fix-ups around your North Texas home. Outdoor projects are more manageable, and a few simple projects can prepare your space for the cold weather coming soon. 

DIY Fix-Ups to get your home in tip-top shape for winter

Take Action Outdoors:

• Pick up all fallen leaves to limit damage to grass and “critter” invasions

  

• Unclog gutters to protect windows and foundations
• Prune tree branches hanging near your house, roof, and gutters before it gets too cold. Branches can break from heavy snow and ice and cause damage.
• Turn off outside water sources and remove water from pipes and hoses
• Get your faucet cover guards to use when it starts to freeze.
• Find air leaks and fix them. Check these areas for leaks or drafts:
  • Windows, doors, vents, and fans.
  • Plumbing areas
  • Air conditioners 
  • Mail chutes
  • Electrical and gas lines
• Weatherstripping is a good DIY project that helps seal warm and cold air in and out of your home. It can be found at most hardware stores. It installs quickly around windows and doors and helps prevent air leaks. 
• Caulk cracks or holes in your walls to keep cold air away from pipes.
• Give your home a once-over for any exposed or vulnerable piping, and wrap it with insulation. Foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves for pipes are easy to install and available at any hardware store.

Now Head Indoors:

• Don’t turn the heat down too much when you’re out of the house. You may not be there to enjoy it, but your pipes need the heat to prevent freezing.
• Let indoor faucets drip during cold, severe snaps to relieve your pipes. Call a plumber immediately if your pipes freeze and water stops flowing from faucets!
• Set ceiling fan blades in winter to move clockwise and run fans slowly. This lifts cool air to the ceiling and pushes warm air down where you can enjoy it.
• In winter, replace furnace filters monthly. Hold the filter up to the light: If you can’t see the light through it, you need a new one. Pleated filters trap more dirt particles than flat surface filters.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms before they chirp (always in the middle of the night!).
• Use Autumn’s cool weather to conquer those deep-cleaning chores and close summer’s outdoor areas.

With these easy DIY fix-ups, you’ll be ready to enjoy the cooler days ahead! You may feel more comfortable hiring a professional to do some of these things. Know your limits, and stay safe! 

For even more tips on getting your home in the best shape for winter, visit Energy Star 

Preparing Your Home for a Texas Winter

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