Fall is here, and the next few weeks are the window to get your house ready before the cold settles in. This issue covers the two jobs that matter most right now, gutters and leaves, plus a few dates worth putting on your calendar.
— Will Barton
The dates to know
According to the National Weather Service, central Louisville’s average first frost (36°) arrives around October 20. The average first freeze (32°) comes around November 1, and the first hard freeze (28°) around November 12. Outlying areas, even within Jefferson County, often get there sooner. So the jobs below are best done in the next two to three weeks.
Gutters: clean them after the leaves drop
Clogged gutters overflow, and that water ends up next to your foundation, in your basement, or behind your siding and fascia boards. Most Louisville yards have mature trees, so one early cleaning usually isn’t enough. Plan on a second cleaning once most of your trees have dropped their leaves.
While you’re up there:
Flush each downspout with a hose to make sure water runs freely.
Make sure downspouts empty several feet away from the house, not right at the foundation.
Look for gutters pulling away from the fascia, or sagging sections that hold standing water.
If your house is two stories or your roof is steep, this is a good job to hire out. A fall from a ladder isn’t worth the savings.
Louisville’s leaf rules
If you bag leaves for pickup, the container matters. Since January 2015, Louisville Metro hasn’t accepted yard waste in regular plastic bags, because the leaves are composted and plastic contaminates the compost. Your options are:
Reusable containers with handles, 20 to 40 gallons
Paper yard waste bags
Compostable plastic bags that meet the ASTM D6400 standard
Branches need to be less than two inches across and under four feet long, either bundled or in a container.
Who picks it up depends on where you live. Inside the Urban Services District (the former City of Louisville), Metro collects yard waste weekly on your recycling day. If you live in one of the suburban cities, your private hauler handles it, so check their schedule.
Metro Public Works also recommends the easiest option of all: run the mower over your leaves and let them mulch back into the lawn. In past years, Metro has also opened free leaf drop-off sites from mid-November into early December. Check louisvilleky.gov for this year’s dates and locations.
Before the first freeze
Disconnect garden hoses and shut off the water supply to your outdoor faucets. Louisville Water lists this among its top steps for preventing frozen pipes. A hose left attached can trap water in the faucet, where it can freeze and crack the pipe.
Your October checklist
Mark October 20 and November 1 on your calendar.
Clear gutters and downspouts, and plan a second cleaning after the leaves drop.
Stock up on paper yard waste bags or a 20 to 40 gallon can with handles.
Disconnect hoses and shut off outdoor faucets before the first freeze.
After the next heavy rain, walk around the house and look for water pooling near the foundation.
Next week: getting your furnace and carbon monoxide alarms ready for heating season.
— Will Barton
Sources
National Weather Service Louisville, frost and freeze information: https://www.weather.gov/lmk/louisville_freeze_info
WDRB, Louisville’s yard waste container rules: https://www.wdrb.com/wdrb-in-the-morning/fall-leaf-raking-bagging-and-new-rules-for-disposal-in-louisville/article_41be9019-571b-5f0e-9667-414b9db22c21.html
LOUtoday, what Louisville Metro collects at the curb: https://loutoday.6amcity.com/what-to-do-with-fall-yard-waste-in-louisville
WAVE, Louisville Metro leaf drop-off sites: https://www.wave3.com/story/30319104/leaf-drop-off-locations-available-to-metro-residents-other-options-recommended/
Louisville Water, protecting your pipes: https://louisvillewater.com/?p=12854