Fall is the
perfect time to prepare your home for colder weather, especially with some
essential maintenance. Here are some tips to keep your home safe, comfortable,
and energy-efficient throughout the season:
1. Test Your
Detectors
Smoke detectors
typically last up to 10 years, and carbon monoxide detectors up to six, but
it’s essential to check them each season to ensure they’re functioning
properly. Examine the batteries (including expiration dates), and test each
device on every floor of your home. As you do this, make sure windows are
closed and that your heating system and furnaces are on for optimal
effectiveness.
2. Inspect
Your Roof
Perform an
annual maintenance inspection with a qualified roofing contractor to ensure good
condition of the roofing materials and roof vents.
3. Clean and
Inspect Plumbing
Clean aerators
on faucets and shower heads. Inspect and repair immediately water leaks in
plumbing fixtures.
4.
Winter-Proof Windows
Windows can be
a major source of heat loss if they’re not properly winterized. Start by
checking for drafts and sealing any gaps you find. Remove debris from window
tracks, weep holes and screens and lubricate where applicable. Adding
energy-saving treatments like weatherstripping is another effective way to
improve insulation.
5. Check
Your HVAC System and Change Filters
For optimal
energy efficiency and safety purposes, your HVAC system should be serviced annually
by a professional technician to inspect systems and replace filters. Clogged or
dirty filters make it harder for your system to work efficiently, leading to
higher energy bills.
6. Inspect
Grout
Inspect and
repair the grout or calking on counters, flooring and bathroom fixtures.
7. Clean and
Maintain Gutters
Gutters and
down spouts channel water from your roof away from your home, but they also
collect leaves and debris. To keep them working effectively—and to help prevent
ice dams in freezing weather—clean them out, straighten any that are
misaligned, and replace any that are damaged.
8. Drain
Outdoor Water Lines and Sources
Ensure there is
no water left in outdoor pipes, faucets, or hoses that could freeze and expand,
potentially causing significant damage to your plumbing. Clean out debris in
drain lines under concrete by flushing with a hose. Failing to do this could
lead to costly repairs or replacements.
9. Maintain
Drainage Swales
Maintain
drainage swales for the flow of surface water away from the home and fence to
flow to the street.
10. Yard Care
Adjust yard
sprinkler timer for the season. To keep
your lawn healthy before freezing temperatures set in, take a few key steps:
mow the grass shorter than usual, water and fertilize it, and aerate the
soil—ideally more than once—to give the roots the best chance to thrive.
11. Inspect
Fence and Garage Door
Inspect fence and
garage door for weather damage. Replace
damaged areas on fence. Lubricate fence
and all moving parts with the garage door.
12. Inspect
Kitchen Hood
Inspect and
clean kitchen hood vent grease trap.
Preparing early allows you to tackle these tasks before temperatures drop and ensures your home is ready for the colder months!