Once the weather starts to cool off, you will need to come up with a plan for dealing with the leaves on your property. Ignoring those leaves might be tempting, but that natural debris could kill your lawn and damage your roof in a matter of weeks if you aren’t careful.
Install Rain Gutter Guards
Even if you regularly clean your rain gutters, they could still become clogged after high winds or a heavy rainstorm. Rain gutter guards won’t keep the gutters completely clean, but they will keep out most leaves and twigs. Those small metal panels are extremely easy to install, and this project should only take you an hour or two to complete as long as you have a sturdy ladder and a basic set of tools.
Recycle Leaves, Twigs, and Branches
Tossing your leaves in your trashcan is going to waste quite a bit of natural debris that can be used for other purposes. Instead of throwing that debris away, you should consider contacting a company that specializes in organic recycling. Most natural debris can easily be composted and turned into excellent fertilizer in a matter of weeks. Unlike chemical fertilizers, that compost isn’t going to leach unwanted toxins into the soil.
Sweep the Rooftop
In addition to making the gutters more manageable to deal with, regularly cleaning your roof is also going to increase the lifespan of the shingles. At the very least, you should try to sweep it off once every week or two when the leaves start to fall. You might also want to purchase a pressure washer if your roof is made from clay, concrete, or another sturdy material. If your roof has a sharp slant, then you should probably hire a professional contractor for this type of project.
Invest in a Leaf Blower
Investing in a high-quality leaf blower could end up saving you hundreds of hours in the coming years. With a leaf blower, you will be able to deal with any debris that is on your driveway, stuck in the bushes, or wedged between rocks. A leaf blower can also be used to remove stray leaves that have been left on your roof.
Instead of waiting until the last minute to buy rakes and other landscaping supplies, you might want to pick those items up during the middle of winter. Many companies offer huge discounts on their landscaping supplies once the weather starts to cool off, and those sales could save you quite a bit of money.
