Spring cleaning happens to be something a lot of people do, but probably only a few people understand what it is to winterize the home. Fall means wintertime is around the corner, and you should use the occasion to make sure that your house is ready for it. Fall season, with the attendant dying out of leafy growth, is a great time to examine your house's walls, since it will be easier to spot any shrubs that are becoming invasive. Clean out roots and vines attached to the siding, if not they may cause damage - even bricks are vulnerable.

If they are no longer needed to do any watering, the garden hose should all be emptied and rolled up to be put into storage for the winter. The water source to faucets outside the house should be cut, after which these can dry out. When you think you won't use the garden furniture again that year, get it cleaned and stored in a dry place. If you have any trees which are still developing, and especially those that have not endured a winter, shield them by placing mulch around the base of their stems. To allow for excess rainfall, you should clean out any drainage ditches that you have.

Winter naturally turns one's thoughts to fireplaces. Fireplace sweeps are in high demand wih the first cold spell, so avoid the queue and get in early. If you use fire wood, do not hold off in finding someone and getting a good supply built up. Should you realize you are in a rural area, watch out for local residents selling firewood without advertising. Check and confirm that all the smoke sensors are working, irrespective of whether you light fires in winter or not. The cords to the Christmas lights can become brittle and crack if you don't ever take them down, so check them for sufficient flexibility. When you use storm windows, they ought to be set up. Hot weather dries out weather-stripping, therefore check if they need updating.

Confirm the good working order of the stove hood filters, since during winter the windows are mostly closed. Examine the dirt around the house to make sure that it still slopes away. Water draining into the basement and the foundation can cause major problems. In the first instance it leads to wet rot, which could convert to dry rot after some time, which you sincerely want to do without. You ought to check for seepage regularly.

Water leaks cannot be kept from happening forever, so check the places where leaks most commonly occur, these being the roofing, the guttering, the downpipes and the interior plumbing. It's obvious, but all the leaks needs to be repaired. Reduce a draft by covering up air-conditioning units, and look at wrapping exterior pipes, especially if the house is older. It is a good idea to shampoo the carpets, since dust is more noticeable in the winter. End simply by cleaning the windows.