As the weather cools down and days shorten, homeowners should note what needs to be done for their homes to stay safe and maintained during the winter months. Some parts of your house will need special attention that can only be provided by a professional. However, there are some things that you can do yourself to help prepare your home for colder weather.
Schedule heating system inspection
Home heating is a vital part of your home life. While the summer months only require air conditioner maintenance, winter demands much more from you and your HVAC system. Change the furnace filter each month and schedule a fall heating system inspection to prepare for the cold weather ahead.
- Inspect the furnace, flues, and chimneys for blockages
- Check the ventilation system to ensure proper airflow
- Ensure that all electrical connections are working properly
Hiring a licensed contractor specializing in your home’s unique HVAC system to complete an annual inspection is recommended, resulting in increased efficiency and safety of your furnace through preventive maintenance.
Store Outdoor Furniture and Equipment
Keeping your outdoor items in good condition is essential if you want them to last. Unfortunately, many homeowners wait until winter to put their patio sets away, which ultimately causes the wood to become warped over time. Outdoor items such as lawnmowers and patio furniture need special storage during the winter months to prevent rusting, molding, and other damage from chilly temperatures. Store all your outdoor equipment in a shed, garage, or on the porch. Make sure everything is clean and dry before you put them away.
Drain hoses and irrigation systems
Drain hoses and irrigation systems as part of your fall home maintenance to prepare for the winter weather and make sure no water will freeze and cause damage throughout the colder months. Hoses and irrigation systems can experience a lot of wear and tear throughout their lifespan. Homeowners need to prepare these systems for winter weather by draining all hoses and irrigation lines, ensuring no water is left sitting in them, as this could freeze during cold snaps, causing damage to the system. Draining hoses and irrigation systems also save water.
Clean Gutters
People often overlook the importance of cleaning gutters. Homeowners should inspect their gutters during the fall season. That way, they can identify any damage or signs of wear before the cooler seasons approach. Gutter maintenance aims to keep the gutters clean, functioning correctly, and free of damage. Homeowners should inspect their gutters for issues such as clogs, loose parts, erosion, or rust. Gutters blocked with twigs, leaves, or branches can overflow during rainstorms causing water damage to your home’s exterior. Homeowners should check the seams around gutter joints for gaps or holes which allow bugs and rodents to enter your home.
Get your furnace serviced
Home heating systems can fail or malfunction at any time during the year. Still, winter is the most likely time because homeowners rely on them more heavily when it’s cold outside, especially if they live in colder climates with challenging weather conditions. Homeowners should have their furnaces inspected every year by a professional technician as part of their fall maintenance routine. It’s best to get the service done around the fall season so that homeowners have ample time to deal with any problems before winter starts.
Look up your chimney for blockage
You don’t want your fireplace or wood-burning appliances to malfunction when you need them most in colder months. It’s a good idea to get them all tuned up before the first snowflake hits the ground. Having blocked flues and chimneys due to debris buildup from a bird’s nest or a squirrel getting stuck inside can be an issue. Have a professional inspect your chimney to ensure there are no blockages or safety hazards. Have the flue damper checked just in case it sticks during colder months. If this happens, heat will fill up your home when you least expect it, which can cause issues with mold growth, peeling paint, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Inspect roof
One thing that should always be on your home maintenance checklist for fall is to inspect your roof. If you are about to hit the colder months, then it will be time to take out your ladder and check the roof’s condition. This way, you can catch problems early before they turn into more significant issues that could cost you more money later. Make sure there are no trees or anything else growing too close to your roof.
Check windows
Homeowners need to check their window panes, sills, and hinges each year to ensure that the winter months don’t bring about damaged or broken glass, thanks to harsh weather conditions. By checking your windows now, you can ensure they’re in good shape for when the cooler days arrive and prevent you from having to pay higher insurance premiums over the next few years.
Caulking
Caulk acts as a sealant between two surfaces to prevent air and water from entering or exiting through cracks or holes around your house. Homeowners often use caulk to seal the gaps where door and window frames meet walls, but there are several other locations you might want to consider sealing as part of your fall maintenance, like the bathroom and kitchen.
Stockpiling
Having a stockpile of wood and canned goods is often overlooked. Still, it is crucial to ensure safety during emergencies, such as power outages due to storms or other weather-related conditions. Ensure that your generator and other important heat sources are working and that you have stockpiled enough resources to stay warm in the cooler months.
Let Digs do the work for you with our smart checklist
The last thing a homeowner wants to do is complete a lengthy list of tasks for home maintenance. Digs has solved this common problem with our smart checklist. We have created tools that save time and money to enjoy your free time better while preparing your home for the colder months.
