Fall chores can save you money on your home and yard
Fall is the perfect time to make those necessary home fix-its which might have slipped through the cracks over the summer, but should definitely be addressed before winter.
Just ask Ashley Retigliano who moved from an apartment to her first house a month ago.
“It's exciting but it's a lot of work,” she explained. “We do have a pretty large property that needs a decent amount of maintenance, but definitely needs a lot more work.”
Consumer Reports says that some chores can save you money in the end. Starting with your lawn – it is recommended you avoid leaving matted leaves on the grass.
“Using your lawn mower’s mulching mode to return nutritious bits of leaves and grass back into the soil, plus it saves your back from raking,” Paul Hope, Consumer Reports Home Editor
You will also save money on leaf bags, and patching the lawn come spring.
Unfortunately, leaves do not just fall on your yard. Leaves, sticks and other debris can clutter gutters, causing rain to overflow and pool around your home’s foundation, and even seep inside.
“And if the water in your gutters gets cold enough to freeze, ice dams can form, which forces water back under your roofing shingles and even results in drips inside the house,” said Hope.
The safest way to clear gutters is from the ground, using a wand extension for your hose or even an attachment for your leaf blower or wet vac. Never go onto the roof to clean your gutters. In addition, to protect your foundation make sure your gutters drain at least five feet from the house.
Then take some time to inspect your roof. Use binoculars to look for shingles that appear cracked or curled. Small leaks can damage the wood sheathing and rafters and damage your home’s interior.
Consulting a professional can save you money down the line.
“A pro can inspect the flashing around your chimney and any skylights, and catch any leaks before they get worse,” added Hope.
Finally, do not forget to close your hoses to avoid the risk of bursting a pipe in sudden freezing weather. Shut off inside valves, and then drain any leftover water from the outside spigots.
This is also the time of year to replace those furnace filters. Dirty air filters can restrict heat airflow in your home and lead to expensive repairs.
With files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Record-breaking N.B. lottery winner kept winning ticket on dresser for nearly a year
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Gangs netting up to US$3 trillion a year as Southeast Asia human trafficking becomes a global crisis, Interpol says
Human trafficking-fuelled fraud is exploding in Southeast Asia with organized crime rings raking in close to US$3 trillion in illicit revenue annually, the head of Interpol has said in comments that reveal the huge profits being earned by cartels.