With a cold front expected to move into the Carolinas later this week, low temperatures in Winston-Salem should drop into the low 50s – our first taste of fall. And while peak leaf season in the Piedmont Triad region is still several weeks away, now is the best time to prepare your home for the cooler weather ahead.

Here are some things you can do to get your home ready before winter sets in:

Check your HVAC system

Check your heating and air system to make sure it is in good working order and well kept. Ideally, you should have a technician inspect your furnace and heat pump before the weather turns cold. While you are at it, use the opportunity to change out your filters.

Get up on the Roof

Get on up on your roof or hire a company to look for any loose shingles. The nails should be securely embedded into the felt and sheathing to prevent leaks from storms and melting snow and ice. If needed, hire a handyman to repair a few shingles or a roofer for larger sections.

Clear out gutters and downspouts

To prevent clogs and potential ice dams, be sure to remove leaves and other debris from your drainpipes and gutters. Also, make sure that the gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water.

Cover your outdoor furniture and shut down the pool

As the weather turns cold and people spend more time indoors, it’s a good idea to cover your outdoor furniture to protect it from the elements. To avoid trapping moisture on it, cover your furniture while the weather is still relatively warm and clear.

If you have a pool, fall is a good time to get any needed work done before you shut it down for the season.

Seal air leaks

Check your home for drafts that may occur due to cracks around windows or doors. Use a calking material to fix cracks in stationary house components such as doorframes and weather stripping.

Reverse your ceiling fans

If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch, set the blades to spin in a clockwise direction once you turn the heat on for the season. This will create an updraft, which forces heated air down from the ceiling into the space with the added benefit of saving energy.

Is there anything that The Sharpe Mortgage Team can do for you this week? If you’re interested in purchasing a home or refinancing your current home in Winston-Salem or the surrounding areas, give us a call! We can discuss your financial goals and discuss a loan program that might be right for you.