Are You Ready for Some . . .

You may be ready for some football. But before you put on your Seahawks jersey and settle into that comfy recliner (with your favorite beverage in one hand and your faithful remote in the other), you need to make sure your home is ready for the weather that comes with football season. A little preparation now can make the winter months much more enjoyable—and can help protect your most important investment. Here are five things you can do to make sure your home is ready for winter.

1. De-gunk the gutters. Wait until most of the leaves have fallen and then clean your gutters to make sure they drain properly. When you do, make sure you check the wood behind your gutters to make sure it’s not rotting. If you get tired of the yearly leaf removal, you may want to install a gutter guard so you don’t have to repeat this exercise every year.

2. Take a look at your insulation. Having enough insulation will help keep you comfortable during the cold, damp winter months—and it can keep your heating bills down. Your attic is a prime place for adding insulation because it’s one of the biggest culprits for escaping heat.

3. Do a check-up/tune-up of your heating system. If you have forced air heat, make sure your filters are replaced. If you have electric heat you’ll want to make sure the baseboard units are clean. It’s also a good idea to make sure your thermostats are working properly. You don’t want to be on a waiting list after the first cold snap.

4. Do a “caulk walk.” Take a walk around your home and check all the places where wires or pipes enter the house to make sure there are no gaps. Caulk where necessary. Look for gaps in doorframes or window frames—or where your siding and masonry meet. If you’ve never replaced your original windows, early fall can be a good time to think about that.

5. Look for peeling paint. Late summer into early fall is a good time to paint or at least touch up your paint before winter weather can get at peeling or fading spots. It can help keep moisture from damaging the exterior of your home.

There’s always more that you can do—but these five steps will help protect your home. And they may even keep your spouse from trading you to another team!