Ready for Fall? Six Good Ideas for Home Maintenance

 

September 22 is the first day of autumn. The weather gets cool, we get as much sunlight as darkness, and we all know what happens next – winter.

In the anticipation of fall, here are some good chores to undertake that will make fall a breeze and keep your home safe and sound well into December.

1. Check out the Furnace/Heat Pump/etc. – Making sure your furnace filters are clean and the furnace (or heat pump, or HVAC unit, etc.) is in clean, working condition is a must. If you have oil-based heat, make sure your tank's topped off and you won't short yourself if the cold comes a little early. Make sure your duct work is clear, all your vents are in good shape, and your thermostat is properly calibrated.
2. Gutters: Clean and Clear – Getting ahead of whatever's already in the gutters on your house is a good step. Now's also a good time to install no-clean gutters with special hoods that keep debris out while letting water in to drain.
3. How's the Chimney? – If you use a wood stove in your home, make sure your chimney is free of soot and creosote to avoid chimney fires. If you have a chimney and don't use it regularly, make sure the flue is closed to prevent warm air leakage. If there's a crack or flaw, have the chimney repaired.
4. Pipes and Hoses – Check out the pipes on the inside and spouts on the outside of your home. Disconnect your hoses and sprinklers and store them for the spring. Insulate your interior pipes properly and consider purchasing some exterior drain covers from your home improvement store.
5. Caulking and Weather Stripping – That cold draft you feel in the winter could be the result of poorly insulated windows and doors. Consider caulking and weather-stripping now so you don't pay a fortune in heating bills down the road.
6. Stock Up – If you haven't already picked up a good, sturdy snow shovel and some rock salt/ice melt for the winter season, now's the time. Also, make sure you have belts for any snow blowers you may own (belts typically wear out and dry rot before you get a chance to use them). You might also consider buying some summer lawn furniture now – prices typically drop off in September and October and pick back up in Spring.

This is just a short, simple list to get you started. Take a weekend and prepare for the cold and spend the rest of your autumn days enjoying football, falling leaves and family time.

If you need assistance, do not hesitate on giving me a call or any member of the team at 314-744-7806.  Check us out on the website by clicking on the link below:

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