5 Fall Home Maintenance Tips to Help Get your Home Ready for Winter
When the leaves begin to turn and the weather starts getting cold, many homeowners start thinking about the maintenance tasks they need to complete in order to prepare their homes for the inevitable incoming winter!
Most of the tasks listed below are quite simple and can typically be tackled by any homeowner.
Tip # 1: Clean the Gutters
Cleaning out the gutters can be a dirty, annoying task, but imagine if you left it over the winter! Come spring, you could have water overflowing from the eaves trough, because it’s clogged with ice, leaves and other debris. This lack of drainage can cause all sorts of issues for your roof and your home. As unpleasant and inconvenient of a task this is, it would be in your best interest to clean these out once the leaves have fallen.
Tip # 2: Turn Off the Water to Your Outdoor Faucets
This almost goes without saying, but be sure to shut off the water to your outdoor faucets before freezing starts to occur. A frozen line could mean a burst pipe and nobody wants that headache or mess. In addition to shutting the water off, make sure you open and drain the faucet. You can do the same with any garden hoses.
Tip # 3: Inspect your Roof
Whether you complete this task safely yourself or hire someone to complete it for you, having your roof inspected regularly is something that should be done. You will want to check for any issues with the shingles, vents or flashing, including any soft spots in the roof itself. Completing any repairs before winter hits will help ensure that your home stays free from leaks and unplanned winter repairs.
Tip # 4: Inspect Window Trim for Leaks
To avoid having the heat escape from your house and driving your power bill up, try this trick to check your windows for leaks. Just use a screwdriver or something narrow and probe around the trim on the windows and doors around your house. If you find any gaps, properly seal it up with some caulking to help keep the heat inside your home.
Tip # 5: Inspect Your Heating System
If you are capable of checking this yourself, then by all means do it; but if not, you will need to hire a professional. Annual maintenance of your heating system can prevent unwanted surprises. Imagine if you were to discover the furnace is not working properly on a freezing cold night in winter and it was something that could have been prevented with a little bit of maintenance in the fall.
Hopefully, these tips help you move closer towards getting your home ready for the winter. Remember, if you are ever unsure of how to complete something, make sure to consult a professional.
Enjoy the fall everyone!