Winter is just around the corner and it is well past time to begin preparations for the harsh, cold weather. Being a homeowner comes with lots of responsibilities and one of those is winterizing your home. Below you will discover 5 home improvement tips that will get you ahead of Father Winter.

Cleaning Gutters

One of the most dreaded tasks that a homeowner will be forced to tackle is gutter cleaning. Not only do you have to drag that heavy ladder all the way around your home, but you have to clean those smelly dying leaves out of the gutter. If you fail to complete this task, before the onset of winter, your gutters may become so full and heavy that they will crumble to the ground.

You can purchase a gutter cleaning tool that attaches to your water hose, so you clean the gutters from the ground. Of course, there is one downside to using this tool, which is its inability to get rid of the soggy leaves, which tend to stick to the bottom of the gutter. It seems that your best bet will be to climb that ladder and manually dip the leaves out.

Clean Decks

Many homeowners choose the fall season to clean their decks. If you reside around a lot of trees, you will definitely notice a buildup of mossy and sappy residue on your decks. This can become very hazardous, especially when wet, so to decrease the risks of falls, you should scrub your decks clean.

You will find many over the counter deck cleaning solutions at your local big box store. It may be a good idea to pick up a stiff bristled broom, as well.

Air Conditioning Duct

It is time for air conditioning duct cleaning again. Now you may need to hire a professional HVAC service technician to properly clean your ducts. Another option that may be open to you is renting a duct cleaning machine. While this will be a timely task, it will save you a lot of money that can be used for Christmas holiday shopping.

Caulking

To cut down on energy wastes, you should caulk around your doors, windows, and indoor/outdoor plumbing pipes. You would be surprised with how much warm air could escape in and out of your home through these tiny crevices. By caulking gaps, cracks, and crevices in and around your home, you will be saving on energy wastes and preventing your energy bill from soaring out of control.

Repairing Leaky Faucets

Water wastes are not only harmful for the environment, but it can damage the wallet. Instead of watching those faucets drip, you should head to the big box store and purchase some plumbing supplies. While you are at it, be sure to fix those outdoor spigots, because you definitely do not want them to freeze up this winter.

Conclusion

Of course, all of these tasks are unappealing, but someone has to do it and that someone will be you. Be sure to ask for assistance cleaning those gutters, because lugging a heavy ladder around can be strenuous on the back.