Home Maintenance for Fall

For many, fall signals a time of pumpkin spiced lattes and warm sweaters. That may be true, but for a homeowner, it’s also a time when you need to consider some home maintenance tasks. Heading into colder weather signals a time to check the safety of fireplace chimneys and sealed doors. Falling leaves are a worry for clogged gutters and more. Following are some home maintenance tasks that your absolutely should not neglect going into fall.

Examine your roof

Your roof is likely to have taken quite the battering from the weather over the past few months. As the part of the home most exposed to the elements, you should consider having your roof inspected for any damage. Even small bits of damage, such as a cracked or chipped tile, and missing shingles can lead to leaks that spread water damage from the top of the home, down. Ask friends and family for references on who to contact for professional roofing companies in your area. Always hire local contractors and not one that just popped in from out of state to make a quick buck. Hiring  a professional might be something you want to wait on. You should still carefully (using strict safety precautions) examine your roof for any drips or leaks. Finding leaks that you can’t repair means it’s time to call in the professionals.

Service the HV/AC

Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HV/AC) system should be cleaned as often as necessary. Over time leaves, dog hair, tree cotton and grass can mount up and clog your outside unit. To help your unit to run more efficiently; be sure these coils are cleaned regularly. If you wait until you notice your unit not running properly you’ll likely be facing an expensive repair.

Lack of maintenance on these systems can cause costly repairs. If your HV/AC system is old and continues to break down; having a residential ac installation professional check it out is going to be necessary. Considering they heating and cooling systems are among the most expensive things in your home; you want to keep them running at top efficiency.

Clean Your Gutters

Having gutters in good working condition is so important. Gutters around your house ensure water will be carried away from your foundation. This is help keep erosion around your foundation to a minimum. Gutters that are clogged with debris do not allow water to flow to the downspout. This in turn causes water to back up and can work it’s way under shingles causing leaks inside the home. Falling leaves are notorious for clogging gutters.

Keeping gutters clear of debris help keep a flood of water from damaging the area around your home. This will help protect the integrity of your foundation and keep your home in the best condition possible.

Check for drafts

Can you see daylight around your exterior doors? Do you feel the cold air seeping in around your windows? If so, you are losing valuable heating or cooling in your home, and that is costing you money in utility bills. To keep your heating and cooling costs as low as possible, ensuring the seals around windows and doors cannot be ignored. You heating and cooling systems have to work much harder and longer to heat your home if you have vulnerable areas allowing cold air to flow in.

Making these repairs may be as easy as adding weather stripping around your interior doors. Check your windows and re-caulk areas that are not sealed properly. Sometimes fixing a problem is as easy as finding a window that is simply not closed all the way.