Your Fall Home Prep Checklist for Amarillo
Fall is officially here in Amarillo, and the irony is that the weather followed suit. After countless days in the upper 90s and 100+ degree days, the forecast has shifted to temps in the low to mid-80s and that crisp, cool air in the morning.
While we sit here and bask in the lower temperatures, we forget that it is a sign that fall is here, cooler temperatures, and a new season that we have to properly prepare for. So, with that said, I'm here to make sure you have a checklist of things to take care of so you aren't caught off-guard or with an issue you don't want.
Get Your Yard & Garden Ready
It's that time of year when the grass dies, the leaves change colors, and flowers and plants go into essential hibernation. However, you'll want it all to come back in the spring, and there are steps you need to take to make sure that happens.
First things first, fertilize your lawn. This will give it everything it needs to survive and grow back nice and full in the spring. Once you've done that, make sure you adjust your watering schedule. You want to allow all that to become dormant, so overwatering will hurt it.
Final prep step? Plant some new vegetables in that garden! Radishes, beets, and leafy greens thrive in these conditions, and they're perfect for this time of year when it comes to consuming them.
Prepping Your Home
Here comes the more important one. Making sure your home is ready for the shift. Let's start with the most important one: your pipes. The last thing you want to deal with is busted pipes due to them freezing. Shut off your outdoor faucets, drain any hoses you have, and store them for the season. You can wait until late October to do this, but don't forget.
Gutters: please check them. Clear them out of any debris that may have flown in. This is when it starts to get rainy, and if they're full or blocking drainage areas, you'll find yourself with a mess you don't want to clean up.
Last but not least, check those seals! Yes, the ones on your windows and outside doors. It gets chilly, and if you keep feeling the draft coming from somewhere outside, you may find water coming in once that rain comes, not to mention an expensive heating bill.
