Summer is officially over, and it’s time to start thinking about winter. If you’ve been neglecting maintenance around your house during the stress of the novel coronavirus pandemic, you must catch up now. Run through this list of questions to make sure that your house is ready for the cold, snow, and ice.

Do You Need to Replace Your Windows?

It’s easy to forget about your windows during the summer since it’s too hot to open them most of the time. However, now that temperatures are dropping, you need to pay attention to your windows again. Check that each one can open and close easily. Monitor them for drafts by moving your hand around the frames. If you feel a breeze anywhere, either your windowframe needs to be caulked or the whole apparatus needs to be replaced. Rather than attempting this tricky job yourself, leave installing window Medford NJ to the professionals. Don’t delay on this job; while you might not mind a few drafts now, in a few weeks, they will drive up your heating costs and make your house unbearably cold.

Do You Need to Repave Your Driveway?

Like most streets, your driveway is probably made of asphalt. This durable material supports the weight of your car and allows you to park without hurting your grass, but it does not last forever. As small cracks form, water becomes trapped and, during the winter, it freezes, expanding the cracks that already exist. Even if you don’t think that the ruptures in your driveway are major, it’s important to seal them before the first freeze. If you have so many cracks that sealing them isn’t realistic, consider repaving the whole path.

Do You Need to Clean Your Gutters? 

You don’t think about your gutters until they break and hang off the side of your house, allowing water to spill everywhere instead of directing it to your drainage system. One afternoon, break out your rake, ladder, and trashbags, and clean all sections of your gutters. You’ll find saplings sprouting in the leaves, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for critters such as mice, spiders, and birds. This is a messy job, but it’s necessary if you don’t want your gutters to break during your first snowstorm.

Now that it’s cold enough for you to start thinking about winter, it’s time to take care of the maintenance projects you put off during the summer.