Your home is in tip-top condition to structurally withstand winter and provide you with the much-needed warmth and comfort. Here are 4 tips for fall home maintenance.
It can be difficult to get any home maintenance work done in the snowy winter weather. Therefore, the best time to do it is during the fall. This also ensures that your home is in tip-top condition to structurally withstand winter and provide you with the much-needed warmth and comfort. Here are 4 tips for fall home maintenance.
Walk around the house inspecting the exterior. Check the gutters and downspouts for any blockages. Clean them out and get rid of any leaves and debris that may have accumulated. If you don’t have them yet, consider installing gutter guards.
Inspect your roofing. The most common signs include curling shingles, leaks or gaps neat pipes and chimneys, and buckling. It is best to hire a professional to do the repair work.
If you have been considering repainting some or the entire exterior of the house, now would be a good time. Repaint earlier on in the fall season to ensure ample time for the paint to set and dry. If done later on in the fall, the temperatures may be too low for the paint to dry fully.
Begin by closing your exterior shut-off valve and disconnecting outdoor water hoses. If they remain connected in winter, the water inside will freeze and expand, potentially bursting the pipes. Also, check your outdoor valves for any leakage and repair them.
Insulate water pipes to optimize energy efficiency and prevent freezing. Ensure all pipes that are in cold areas e.g. garage or crawl space are insulated. Also, inspect the joint areas where the pipes enter your home for gaps between the wall and pipes. Seal any gaps by caulking, stripping, or insulating to block out cold air from coming in.
In the coming colder days, your water heater will be working extra hard to supply your home with hot water. For it to operate efficiently and optimize energy usage, it needs to be in optimal condition.
Start by flushing the water heater to get rid of sediment build-up that may inhibit proper heat transfer. Cleaning out the water heater also prevents corrosion of the water heater tank and pipes.
Test the T&P valve to ensure it is working properly. It prevents excessive pressure build-up that could lead to the water heater bursting. Check if the anodes need to be replaced. Reduce the water heater temperatures to about 1200F. Finally, insulate both the heater and its pipes.
Hire an HVAC system professional to inspect, maintain, and winterize your HVAC system. They should clean or repair air filters for unrestricted airflow. They should also reprogram your thermostat with a lower setting when you are not at home.
If have a carbon monoxide detector, ensure that it is working properly and replace the batteries. If you do not have one in place, have the HVAC professional install it.
Do you need help with your home maintenance? Book an appointment with us today.
