There are plenty of things that should be done around the home during the fall. This is because fall season is the perfect time to prepare your home for the upcoming winter months. If you’re a homeowner, here is a short maintenance checklist of the things you should be doing around the house this fall.
Inspect the Furnace and Replace Filters
Since your furnace doesn’t get much use during the spring and summer months, it’s important to have it inspected before you’ll be using it again. The best way to do this is to have a professional come to your home to fully inspect your system. Also, don’t forget to replace any dirty furnace filters before turning it on once again.
Clean Gutters
You’ll also want to make sure that your gutters are clear of debris before the winter season in order to avoid ice build up on your roof. If your gutters are free of debris, the ice will be able to melt away to a proper drainage area.
Seal Windows and Doorways
To prevent warm air from escaping your home on a cold winter’s day, you’ll want to seal the edges of windows and doorways with an insulating material such as caulking. By doing this, you could likely see a decrease in your heating bill as compared to previous winters. For added insulation, you may also want to put weather stripping along doors and windows which are frequently used.
Prepare the Fireplace
It’s always a good idea to prepare your fireplace for use during the fall months before winter hits. Start by inspecting your fireplace, making any necessary repairs and then cleaning out the chimney. Once the cold days rolls around, you can rest assured that your fireplace will be ready to use without the need for any safety concerns.
Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation Systems
If your pipes freeze and burst from cold temperatures, you could be looking at spending thousands of dollars to have them repaired. This is why you want to make sure your outdoor pipes and sprinkler systems are prepared for the winter. It’s recommended you wrap any pipes exposed to the outdoors with heating tape or any other type of durable insulation. Also, be sure to keep your garage door closed during the winter in order to retain heat and prevent cold air from reaching indoor vents and pipes.
Inspect the Roof
You’ll also need to thoroughly inspect your roof and make any necessary repairs before the first snowfall. This is because broken roof tiles or shingles can cause snow or ice to build up which can contribute to leakage or weakened areas.
Performing each of these little maintenance check ups on your home each fall season can save you lots of trouble and money when winter comes around. If you’re a homeowner, make it a point to bookmark or print up this checklist to make sure that you complete all of the most important steps of fall home maintenance.
