It may not feel like it, but it is officially fall and the cooler temperatures will soon be here. To prepare your home for the upcoming changes in temperature, follow these simple maintenance tips:
Seal Cracks and Gaps: Heated air can swiftly escape through your home’s tiny cracks and gaps. Caulk or apply weatherstripping around doors, windows, or electrical outlet openings to reduce airflow and increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Inspect and Clean Gutters: Leaves, pine needles, and other debris can quickly fill your home’s gutters - putting you at risk for flooding and foundation damage. While inspecting your gutters, it is also beneficial to proactively examine your roof for any missing or damaged shingles that could lead to moisture problems.
Prune Trees and Bushes: Keep your yard looking pristine in the fall and winter months by trimming trees and hedges one final time. Don’t hesitate to call an arborist if you have any questions regarding the health of your trees.
Store Yard and Garden Tools: Once you have completed your fall yard maintenance, pack away your landscaping tools so they will be in tip-top shape for the spring. Some key items to remember are winterizing your lawn mower, storing hoses, and draining outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems.
Change Furnace Filter: Filters should be replaced regularly throughout the year to maintain proper furnace performance. With the change in temperature, fall is also an optimal time to have your furnace inspected by a professional.
Inspect Home Safety Items: Ensure your family stays safe this season by testing and changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and CO monitors, inspecting fire extinguishers, and reviewing fire safety and evacuation plans with family members.