Autumn Home Maintenance Tips
Autumn is a beautiful time of the year, it’s also a reminder that old man winter is right around the corner. Here are some maintenance tips to help prepare your home for the winter months ahead.
-Check caulking around the exterior of windows and doors. If caulk is cracking or has broken away it should be replaced. You should also check the inside of your home for drafts around window and door seams. An inexpensive solution to prevent drafts and save on heating bills is to apply weather stripping around these areas. Weather stripping can be purchased at local home improvement centers.
-Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts, this is especially important to do in the fall due to autumn leaves. Clearing leaves and debris will keep water flowing properly and help prevent clogged gutters and ice dams.
-Inspect exterior flashing for gaps and separation, these may need to be caulked and sealed.
-Detach garden hoses from spigots, this will prevent water from freezing and cracking spigots.
-Have your heating system inspected, ducts should be cleaned, air filters and humidifier water panels should be replaced. A properly running heating system improves efficiency and ensures your home stays warm through those cold winter months. Consider installing programmable thermostats for greater efficiency.
-Change the direction of your ceiling fan’s rotation in the winter so that the blades force cooler air towards the ceiling – this will displace warm air that naturally rises forcing it down to your living areas.
-Have your fireplace, chimney and dryer vent professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
-Change batteries on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at least every six months.
Performing maintenance on your home will help protect your home for the winter, help avoid costly emergency repairs and will save you energy and money.
For more information about home maintenance issues contact the experts at Battaglia Homes at 630-669-4280 or email us at info@battagliahomes.com. We’d love to hear from you – leave your comments below.