Fall Home Maintenance Tips:
The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing color…fall is just around the corner. It’s time to start getting your house prepared for the cooler months ahead. Take advantage of the mild autumn weather to repair any interior or exterior damages or weak points before the first frost sets in. Here are some home maintenance ideas that will keep your home running in peak condition throughout the winter months.
Exterior Maintenance
- Clean your gutters. Overflowing water from clogged gutters can damage your roof and lead to cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Replace damaged/missing shingles. Cracked, broken or missing shingles leave your roof exposed to the elements.
- Check the foundation for cracks and caulk around the areas where masonry meets siding, where pipes or wires enter the house, and around the windows and door frames to prevent heat from escaping.
- Install storm windows/doors and remove screens. Before storing in a dry area of the basement or garage, clean and repair screens, spray with a protective coating and place.
Interior Maintenance
- Have a professional tune your furnace. By having your furnace checked and tuned by a professional, you can reduce temperature variations, improve air quality and protect against carbon monoxide.
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors run on batteries, check them at least once every season.
- Put unused lawn equipment away. If you’ve finished with your lawnmowers, clippers, rake and other implements for the season, put them away in a safe place for next spring.
- Have your chimney checked. A professional chimney sweep can check the condition of your chimney and, if necessary, clean any creosote out, which is flammable and can be dangerous.
- Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling, this should help lower your heating bill.
Fall is the perfect time to take care of all the little things that can make a big difference for you and your home. Most of the tasks listed above are well with-in the average person’s ability; even if you choose to have a professional handle them, it’s worth the expense. These tips can save you money in the long run and help protect your family from preventable hazards.