With fall just around the corner, it’s time to start
preparing your home for the fall and winter months. As the seasons change, so
do our activities and our home’s needs. Even though summer hasn’t come to an
end yet, here at Mission Bay, we believe it’s a great time to do some seasonal
maintenance and get your lakefront home at Lake of the Ozarks prepared for the
colder months. Here are a few of our favorite tips:
1. Clean Your Gutters
1. Clean Your Gutters
We know, it's one of those chores that nobody wants to do! But it is so important to keep this system flowing smoothly.
Clogged gutters can lead to damaged exterior surfaces and to water in your
basement (if you have one). They are also prone to rust and corrosion. Before
the leaves start to fall, have your gutters cleaned. You can also cover them
with mesh guards to keep debris from returning.2. Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn in the fall will help protect it
through the winter and help it green up faster during springtime. This is
important for lawns in areas with hot and dry summers since grass tends to slow
or stop growing in such extreme conditions.
3. Seal the Seals
Seal any gaps or cracks around doors and windows with
weather-stripping and caulk. A home with air leaks around doors and windows can
account for about a 10% increase in your heating bills. Weather-stripping is usually
a great cost-effective way to help decrease your heating and cooling costs
throughout the year. It’s important to inspect it periodically because
weather-stripping can deteriorate over time.
4. Check the Driveways and Sidewalks
Damaged driveways and walkways can be hazardous year-round.
However, they can become more dangerous in the winter when it gets icy. Fixing
any problems in the fall is critical to preventing any disasters in the winter.
5. Turn Off and Drain Outdoor Faucets
Make sure you remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets.
Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the plumbing pipes inside
of your exterior walls. During the winter, that water could freeze, expand, and
crack the pipes.
6. Check Your Roof
Look for warning signs like shingles that are cracked,
buckled, or missing. Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be fixed or
replaced immediately. If you have a steep roof, use binoculars to check your
roof before trying to climb to the top.
7. Get Your Heating System Checked and Serviced
Make sure you get your furnace checked before the winter
months bring the cold temperatures. Without yearly cleaning and maintenance, a
system can wear itself out quickly, pump deadly carbon monoxide into your home,
or it could stop working. If you have forced-air heating, change the furnace
filter. You’ll notice a difference in the air quality and your furnace will run
more efficiently.
8. Clean and Put Away Outdoor Furniture
You don’t have to do this at the very beginning of fall, but you
will want to make sure it’s done before the cold weather hits. Make sure you
clean up your outdoor furniture and get rid of any dust or cobwebs that may
have accumulated during the hot summer months. Store your furniture in a safe
and dry space so it’s ready for use during spring.
The beginning of fall is an ideal time to take care of the
little things that make a big difference for your home. Getting a jump start on
your fall home maintenance will hopefully give you more time to enjoy the
beauty of fall. Mission Bay has beautiful scenery, especially in the fall when
the leaves are changing. Our lakeview and lakefront homes at Lake of the Ozarks
provide Lake Living at its finest! Come see for yourself!
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Phone: (573) 346-6600
237 Mission Bay Blvd.
Camdenton, MO 65020
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