Fall is just around the corner, and not long after that winter will follow. This means that now is the time to start thinking about how you can prepare your home for what’s heading your way. For new homebuyers spending their first fall and winter in their new home, this preparation is even more important. You’ll want your new home to be kept as safe and protected as it possibly can be when that winter weather hits. The right changes can save you money as well as protect your home.

1. Prevent Freezing

Any system outside your home that uses water has the potential to freeze and cause you problems during winter. So, if you have an irrigation system in the garden, you will need to prepare it properly. You can manually drain them to remove any water. And you should do the same with any outdoor taps. When you prevent the water from freezing inside them, you also prevent the potential burst pipes that occur. You should also add pipe insulation to any pipes that are exposed to the cold during the winter months. This can also help to stop freezing and bursts.

2. Clean Out the Gutters

If your gutters are clogged up, it can cause you bigger problems in winter than it does the rest of the year. That’s why it’s so important to keep them clean and clear at this time of the year. The debris you find in the gutters will start to freeze. When this happens, it becomes impossible for water to pass through. So, you will get backlogs of water, which can cause water damage and leaks to appear on your roof. When you consider how easy it is to keep the gutters clear, there is really no excuse for letting things like this happen.

3. Seal Up Doors and Windows

You don’t want to let the warm air out and the cold air in during winter. If this happens, your heating bills will rise, and you’ll be throwing money away needlessly. But if you have gaps in the caulking that seals your doors and windows in place, this is what will happen. So, you need to make sure that you fill in any gaps before the cold weather really starts to take hold. Your home will feel much more comfortable if you do this, and you will save energy and money in the process too.

4. Inspect the Roof and Fix it Up

Your home’s roof is what protects it from the world outside. It’s something you should pay particular attention to as fall and winter approach. Start by carrying out a very simple inspection of the roof and seeing what there is to be fixed up there. If you can see any broken tiles or cracks that could let in water, they need to be fixed up as soon as possible. It’s easy enough to carry out simple repairs on the roof if you have the right tools and a decent guide to follow.