Spring cleaning may be the more popular term, but, fall cleaning, rebuilding, remodeling and improvements are some of the most useful you can make.

Why?

Because fall bridges the gap between two weather extremes... the heat and humidity of summer and the freezing cold, snow and rain of the winter. And, your home needs to be prepared for both.

The 3 or so months of summer put some strain on your home... the foundation is taxed by summer rains, the roof worked hard to keep the sun from cooking your house, your gutters flowed heavily and your driveway takes a beating from the hot sun as well.

There are 4 home improvements you can do this fall to get your home ready for winter:

1. Seal Your Driveway

If you have an asphalt driveway, fall is a great time to reseal it. The sun can make the color dull and the rains of summer mixed with humidity can cause the ground under the driveway to shift. You may begin to see small cracks or holes forming.

Winter will also bring on elements like freezing temperatures, snow and rain falls that can further cause the ground under your driveway to shift, damaging the asphalt.

Putting in a driveway drain or yard drain can also help a great deal.

2. Waterproof Your Basement

The summer's humidity and rain wreak havoc on the soil around your home. Just as the ground can effect your driveway, it can also hurt your home's foundation and basement. By waterproofing in the fool temperatures of the fall, you can avoid the ground expansion of winter. When the ground expands, it puts pressure on your foundation, crawl space or basement, which cracks the walls and allows water in. This can lead to mold growth, floor and wall problems, flooding, and a destroyed foundation.

3. Clean and Service Your HVAC System

Have a professional clean out your ducts. Dirty ducts make the heating system work harder, costing you more in electricity and putting undue strain on the furnace or electric heater.

Servicing your furnace or heaters is also a good idea. This is one case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure because a small problem can be fixed quickly and cheaply if caught early. If left untreated, the problem can spread, destroying your heating system and costing you thousands extra.

4. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

A clean gutter allows water to flow down the downspouts and away from your home.

As discussed earlier, too much water in your yard can ruin your driveway (asphalt and cement) and can damage your home's foundation.

Making sure they stay clean means that water can flow and get away from your home where it can not cause any damage.