October in Iowa is that magical month when the leaves turn brilliant shades, the air smells like bonfires, and your furnace looks at you nervously, wondering if it’s about to get called into action. This is the month to prepare your home for the coming cold. A few hours of effort now can save you from big repair bills (and frostbitten toes) later.
Your HVAC system is about to become the MVP of your household. Schedule a professional service now so you don’t end up shivering under three blankets in January while waiting for a repair crew. Don’t forget to swap out the furnace filter — a simple $10 investment that can cut energy costs and keep the air cleaner.
Mice love October as much as pumpkin spice lovers do. Walk around the exterior of your home and check for cracks or gaps. A hole the size of a dime is an open invitation for critters looking for warmth. A tube of caulk or a can of expanding foam is much cheaper than an exterminator.
Falling leaves are pretty until they clog your gutters. Clean them out to prevent water from backing up and freezing against your roofline. If you’re not fond of ladders, now’s a good time to hire it out. (Cheaper than a new roof.)
Daylight Saving Time ends next month, which makes October a good reminder to test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and replace batteries. The only chirping you should hear this fall is from birds migrating south.
Cut back perennials, rake leaves (or mulch them), and store hoses before the first hard freeze. Drain sprinkler systems if you have them. Outdoor faucets should be shut off and drained — burst pipes are a winter tradition no one enjoys.
If you’re planning cozy nights by the fire, schedule a chimney sweep. Creosote build-up is both dangerous and surprisingly flammable. Think of it as your fireplace’s dental cleaning: skip it, and you risk bigger problems down the road.
Run your hand along doors and windows. If you feel a draft, add or replace weatherstripping. Heating your neighborhood is generous, but the gas company already has record profits.
October is all about transition. Nature is preparing for winter, and so should your home. Tackling these items now means fewer emergencies when the snow flies and more time to actually enjoy the season — whether that’s tailgating, leaf-peeping, or deciding which Halloween candy is “for the kids” and which is just for you.
As a Broker Associate/REALTOR® at EXIT Realty and Associates, I specialize in buying and selling real estate throughout Central Iowa, including Norwalk, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Cumming, Indianola, Carlisle, Waukee, Urbandale, Grimes, Clive, Johnston, Ankeny, Altoona, and Pleasant Hill. I proudly serve Warren, Polk, Dallas, and Madison Counties.
đź’¬ Get honest, straightforward real estate insight from someone who knows Central Iowa. Call me, Jon Niemeyer, at 515-490-4675 — no pressure, just perspective.
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