Top fall home improvement projects to prepare for winter

With just a few days until the official beginning of fall, the days are getting noticeably shorter and cooler—and as every Canadian knows, after fall comes a long, cold, snowy winter. After a summer filled with beautiful days spent in the backyard and homes full of children off school, your home could probably do with a bit of a revamp. We at Home Improvement Leads have come up with a few of the top fall home improvement projects that you might want to consider to spruce up your home and prepare for winter.

Windows

Now is the perfect time to take a walk around the exterior of your home and examine your windows for cracks, drafts, and breakage. Whether you complete any repair work yourself or bring in a professional is up to you, but this job is especially important to complete before the colder weather hits if you want to save heat and money this winter.

Eavestroughs

Although cleaning your eavestroughs in the fall might seem like a never-ending job, perseverance is key here to keep your gutters in tip-top shape. This particular task may take a few sessions to clear out the last of the falling leaves, but as long as you get the job done before your roof is covered in ice, you will save yourself hassle later on in the year.

Roofing

Speaking of roofs, you should definitely have a professional come and check your roof for any rot, damage, leaks, or broken tiles or shingles. Roofing specialists get very busy this time of year, so don’t put off a call to the pros if you need repair work done before winter. If you live in a particularly snowy area, consider installing roof de-icing cables to help cut down on ice buildup during the coldest months.

Landscaping and garden

If your garden and backyard are looking well loved after a summer full of fun, tidy up your landscaping now before the grass stops growing for the year. Winterize flower beds and prep any fruit and vegetables for frost, but remember that some plants flourish in the colder months so you don’t always have to stop planting!

Driveways and pavement

Your outdoor winterization should also include your driveways and pavement, including making repairs to or replacing paving slabs, bricks, and stonework that are cracked, partially missing, or broken. Completing this job before the first frost is essential, otherwise you will have to wait until the spring to make any changes to these areas.

Porch and deck

Once the snow flies, your porch and deck area will take a beating from subzero temperatures and ice. If you haven’t already, restain wood floors and railings, and seal your doorways and windows. For a slightly larger-scale but worthwhile project, consider making your porch weather tight in order to increase your winter living space.

Fireplace

If your home has a fireplace, sweeping your chimney and repairing any damage to your flue should be one of the top priorities on your fall home improvement checklist. Our top tip: Bring in a professional to do the job or you risk long term damage, carbon monoxide poisoning, or even fires in your home. After everything is signed off, don’t forget to decorate your fireplace for the season and stock up on fuel.

Bathrooms and kitchens

Now is the time to complete any home improvement jobs that require your plumbing to be out of commission for any length of time, including kitchen and bathroom works. Make sure any ongoing projects are completed well before winter hits or you risk frozen pipes and no water. If necessary, bring in professionals to make sure this is done properly to avoid leaks or burst pipes, which are all harder to repair in the winter.

Conservatory/sunroom

Looking for a room renovation before the holidays? Now is the perfect time to add electricity and heating to your conservatory or sunroom, since most homeowners spend little to no time in these spaces during the winter.

We hope these fall home improvement ideas keep you ahead of the winter!

By Kaitlin Krull