So...I'll admit, when I started thinking of how to write this post, I did a search online for "Fall Home Improvement Ideas." Immediately, I was inundated with numerous search results.
The problem with most of them is that they all started with suggestions such as: insulate your plumbing pipes, inspect your furnace, etc. All great suggestions for the diligent homeowner. Up north.
How about us, here, in Orlando, or the rest of Central Florida?
Living in Central Florida rocks, but let's face it, us Central Floridians are a little weird. We love our summers, but dread venturing outdoors for work. Summers are for things like pools, beaches, and waterparks...not home improvement. Its too hot!
This is our time to do the things that others would do during their summer months. Additionally, we're not getting battered down by our daily rain showers. Time to get to work!
#1. Gutters. Your home just went through one of the wettest seasons on Planet Earth, and survived. Congrats! Now break the ladder out, and inspect those gutters. Its nice and cool, and this is the time to have a quick look. Are there any repairs to your gutters that need to be made? Do you need to replace? Are any of the hinges in need of replacement? How about the downspouts.
#2. Roof. While you're up on that ladder having a look at your gutters, look a little further. What's your roof looking like? For roofs replaced within the last 5 or 7 years, it is reasonable to expect 20-25 years, with some local companies here in Orlando giving up to 30 year warranties. Older roofs with older materials might only get you about 15-20, so it is important to get up there an have a good look. Have a look at the hinges, and see if there's any build up. Any shingles or tiles that need replacing should be done now.
#3. Landscaping. October and November, along with March and April, typically are the best times to add new grass. This is also a good time for many shrubs, flowers, plants and trees. Cold temperatures during the winter, just like hot temperatures during the summer, can overwhelm new landscaping.
#4. Irrigation. How do your sprinkler heads look? Do you have any spots on your property that puddle up during the rains? This is a good time to have a good look at improving those potentially troublesome areas.
#5. Attic. What's it looking like in there? Oftentimes, roof problems that you may not see from outside, are more visible by looking into the attic. Do you need to set up some storage in your attic, to move some stuff around? You're about to pull down the Holiday stuff, might be a good time to have a look at some more storage up in your attic space.
#6. Insulation. While you're up in the attic, its a good thing to inspect your insulation. Good insulation here in Central Florida can help keep your heating, especially your cooling costs down. If you have old, worn out insulation, you could be letting valuable cool, or warm, air, escape!
#7. Air conditioner. Need replacing? Do it now, while its not steaming hot. Any repairs? Need some maintenance? This is the perfect time.
There's plenty of other things I could put on this list, but, bottom line is this: all those things you wanted to do to your home, but didn't want to because it was too hot...get out there and do it! Central Florida will be heating up all over again pretty soon, as we all know, so let's get those projects done.
Do you need any professional help with your home improvement projects? Looking for a recommendation?
Are you looking for a new home here in Orlando? Email me at isellcflhomes@gmail.com or call me at 407.517.8693.