Explore these ten outdoor living ideas to inspire your next transformation. First, visually assess the chimney from the outside. (of course, you’ll al. For an october outdoor refresh i usually pick three priorities: Also be sure to aerate your lawn to prevent thatch build up and keep air, moisture, and nutrients flowing to your l. · we consulted a general contractor to find out which outdoor renovations you should always do in october to ensure your home and yard are ready to thrive when spring weather arrives. · first thing i do is set dumb-simple goals: Do you have smoke detectors installed in every bedroom, and outside sleeping areas? You want it to turn clockwise now, thereby pushing hot air down and helping it circulate throughout the room. Insulation, sealing, window replacement, and door installations need to be completed before winter. · october is ideal for key outdoor renos in preparation for spring before the winter season hits. This change is easy to make on newer ceiling fans, which usually have a switch that reverses the blade direction. Find out which five outdoor renos you should always do in october. As gardening season comes to an end, so does the need to water our plots regularly. October means it’s time to pull out the boots and heavy jackets, but you’d better have a place to store your wet and muddy outdoor apparel. If you tend to your lawn now before it goes dormant for the winter, it will grow back better than ever come spring. Spread a thin layer of fertilizer—too much will burn the grass—and fill in thin patches with “cool season” grass seed. Front porch, a yard focal point, and lighting. Those without mudrooms could place a boot rack in the entryway and clean out the hall closet to make room for the coats. That’s why it pays to address drafts before you even switch on the furnace. Inspect window frames and door jambs, both inside and out, for holes, cracks, or crumbling caulk. · now that weve transitioned into fall, ive caught up with four yard care experts who share their best tips for taking care of your outdoor space in the tenth month of the year. See full list on bobvila. com Heat rises, which is why it’s a good idea to change the direction of your ceiling fan in the fall. Install additional smoke detectors if needed, and then make sure they’re always fully powered by checking batteries monthly. While you’re outside fertilizing and aerating the lawn this month, remember to disconnect your garden hosefrom the exterior spigot. If you have a mudroom, update it with a fresh coat of paint or an added storage bench. October is national fire prevention month, so take the time to review your home safety plan. Chips, cracks, or corrosion are signs that you’ll need to call a repairman. Power tool fans can make a jack-o’-lantern in no time with a dremel cordless rotary tool and the dremel 191 carving bit and the 194 carvin. What must be done, what would be nice, and what’s optional. Chances are pretty good that your fireplace wasn’t used much during the summer, so give it a thorough maintenance checkup before you light the season’s first fire. Install weatherstripping to fill gaps in door frames and windows, and apply fresh exterior caulkwhere needed to se. Not doing so can cause any water left in the hose to expand, freeze, and damage the spigot, and perhaps even the walls or pipes it’s a. Whether you paint them, carve them, or leave them au naturel, they’re a sure sign of fall when placed on your doorstep. While temperatures drop outside, you can still stay warm and keep your energy bills low with proper insulation. Cracks, chips, and crumbling sections of concrete driveways, walkways, and porches will worsen over the winter, and when that happens fixing the damage will cost you. Inside, check the flue for soot buildup, and ensure the d. If you’re considering a fall outdoor renovation, focus on the features that best fit your family’s needs and routines. How about in the basement? With halloween on the horizon, pumpkins are everywhere, maybe even in your backyard garden. To fix cracks in concrete, first remove loose debris, then apply your repair material with a trowel or. Make repairs now before the weather takes a turn and you’ll save time and money. · outdoor projects to prepare for the winter, like gutter or roof replacement. It takes more energy, and more money, to heat a drafty house. Attics are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to winter energy loss, so prepare yours for winter by installing loose fill or batt attic insulationbefore the cold weather hits. Heating upgrades, such as hvac installation or fireplace replacement, should be done in the fall.