While many homeowners think of the summer as a great time to do renovations and improvements, there are some tasks that are best left for cooler weather. Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming cooler weather with a few basic home maintenance tasks like these.

1. Put the Gardens to Bed

You’ve enjoyed the outdoors all summer long, but now it’s time to get the landscape ready for winter. You can choose to remove spent plants or let them die back naturally, depending on your gardening preferences. Clean, service and store all outdoor equipment that won’t get used again until the spring. It’s also a good idea to schedule someone to winterize sprinkler system Manorville NY to avoid any broken heads or cracks.

2. Schedule a Furnace Tune Up

No matter how you heat your home, a pre-season inspection and tune up is a good idea. It will help you avoid some of the more common problems that can leave you stuck in the cold later one. If you rely on propane or oil to power the system, check to make sure fuel levels are sufficient. Have any chimneys or exhaust systems thoroughly inspected for cracks or clogs that could cause potentially dangerous fumes to come back into the house. Keeping extra filters on hand is a good idea, too.

3. Put Down Pest Prevention

When the weather turns cool, insects and other pests will try to find a warm place to nest. Unfortunately, that often means your house. Putting down preventative pest control measures will help keep them outside where they belong.

4. Clean the Gutters

Gutters serve an integral role in keeping rainwater away from the foundation of a house, but they can’t do that when they are clogged with leaves and debris. Take an afternoon to clean them out. You can also install special screens so you won’t have to do this every year.

Even if you prefer the warmth of summer to snowy winters, taking these preventative steps can ensure your home weathers the cold weather.