The kids are back at school and the weather's getting cool. Seasoned homeowners know its time to do some work when the seasons change. New homeowners learning the ropes of home maintenance might need a little help and the seasoned folks might need a reminder, which is why we're here to bring you a little checklist of a couple of things you probably need to do.
1. Tidy Up Your Property 🌿
Overgrown vegetation around your home from summer can be unsightly and potentially damaging. Trim your trees and bushes, pull those weeds, make sure growth isn't getting to be problematic. This is also a great time of year when it's not too hot and not too cold to do lots of yardwork.
2. Replace the Furnace Air Filter 🛠️
When your air filter gets clogged, you limit the fresh air that can come into your home, all while making your furnace / AC use more energy & work harder. This costs your wallet & your health. At the start of Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, make a habit of changing your furnace air filter... your lungs & wallet will thank you.
3. Clean Out Your Gutters 🏠
When debris gets left in your gutters, they clog up and this can lead to lousy situations in the fall & winter. Get those leaves, branches or other junk that's built up there over the summer and make it take a hike. You don't want to overflow your eavestroughs and have ice expansion mess them up once winter rolls around or icicles falling on your head, right?
4. Seal Your Window Gaps 🏠
Who wants to burn extra fuel and have drafts of icy air blow on them during the coldest months of the year? Anyone? No? Exactly. Check for any window gaps where hot air can get out & cold air can get in. Having a nicely sealed window keeps your home energy efficient and warm. Use your hands to feel for a draft and do some caulking if you feel air coming in. New windows are another option if you know your windows are awful. Even though they aren't cheap, it's very worth it for comfort in the present & in energy savings in the long run.
5. Take Note of Your Siding 🏠
Issues like warping, buckling siding or blistering paint can be signs of bigger problems within the house. There may be dangerous mould from water damage, holes from insects or unsightly fading. If you have any of these issues, deal with them as soon as possible!
6. Inspect Your Roof 🏠
Check for loose shingles and soft spots on your roof. Soft spots could mean the wood underneath is rotting, so call a pro to come to check it out. Winter is exceptionally hard on roofs, so make sure to prepare for it this fall and fix any shingles that may have come loose. If you find that your shingles are brittle or there are lots of stones in the gutters, your roof may potentially need replacing.
7. Clean Your Air Ducts 🛠️
Summertime has much more allergens, dust, hairs and pollen floating around, and those end up settling in your air ducts. Getting your ducts cleaned professionally is a smart idea. I won a contest recently and had my ducts cleaned out and I was shocked to see how much dust and debris was is in there. They let me know that its smart to get your ducts professionally cleaned once every five years and that this debris can actually be a fire hazard!
8. Check for Smells 👃 ƒor Sounds 👂 Coming From Your HVAC Unit
Another thing you need to do on a quarterly basis is checking out your HVAC system. Listen for unusual noises or odd smells, which may be a sign of leakage. Get a professional to take a look if you senses tell you something seems off.
