As summer winds down, we are starting to move into cooler temperatures. That’s right; Fall is almost here! The fall season brings a lot to the table. Leaves will begin changing colors, football will take over weekends, and it’s an excellent time to perform maintenance on your home.
It is essential to prepare your home for the Fall/Winter seasons early instead of late. Here is your fall home maintenance checklist, so you’re ready for the cold weather to start moving in!
Clean dryer vents
Lint builds up in the vents of your dryer, and it can make your dryer work less effectively. This can also cause fires to start. Since the air is cooler and dryer in the fall, static electricity increases, which can turn your lint buildup to flames.
Heating system
As the weather gets colder, you must change your furnace filter before it’s too late! It’s a good idea to have a professional check your heating system to make sure it’s working correctly and to prevent costly repairs down the road. It is also smart to clear your air ducts to enhance efficiency and quality of your heating system.
Plumbing
Performing maintenance on your water heater is important, especially before the cold weather arrives. Your water heater can build up sediment over the years, and performing maintenance will ensure your water heater is clean, warm, and working correctly.
You should also disconnect hoses on exterior spigots, so water doesn’t freeze, as well as turn off the water shut-off valve to exterior faucets.
Check your fireplace
You should contact a professional to check and clean your fireplace before use during the winter. Annual cleaning of your fireplace is important to prevent dangerous chimney fires.
Check your roof
As summer storms start diminishing, it’s smart to check your roof for any damages. It’s much better to do this before the winter, so snow doesn’t leak water through any damages. This is especially important if there was any hail damage from the previous spring and summer months.
It is also a good idea to clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure there are no clogs. As leaves fall from trees, they can collect in gutters and in result, causing any water to overflow off the side of your home.
Conduct an energy audit
A trained professional will be able to assess your home’s energy efficiency and can help make changes if need be. Updating appliances, handling air drafts, and adding additional insulation are all ways you could save money on your energy bill.
As we move into fall, it’s important that your home is up and running efficiently for the upcoming winter season. This fall home maintenance checklist will help you notice damages that need repair before it’s too late.
At ServiceOne, our employees are very knowledgeable about home improvements and repairs. Our team of professionals works very hard to ensure your home is running smoothly throughout the whole year. For more fall home maintenance checklist information or questions, please contact us today!