As the seasons change and temperatures begin to drop, your home faces new challenges from cooler air and falling leaves, to increased moisture, and increased heating demands. A little routine maintenance now can help you stay ahead of potential problems and ensure your home stays warm, dry, and efficient throughout the months ahead.
Below is a practical fall checklist to help you prepare your home for the cooler weather and the demands of winter:
Fall Checklist
- Check your home for water leaks
- Have a heating professional check your heating system every year
- Protect your home from frozen pipes
- Run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel is gone
- Test your emergency generator
- Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the flues and check your
fireplace damper - Remove bird nests from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures
- Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms - Make sure the caulking around doors and windows is adequate to reduce
heat/cooling loss - Make sure that the caulking around your bathroom fixtures is adequate to
prevent water from seeping into the sub-flooring
Taking time now to handle these simple checks can save you money, prevent damage, and make the transition into winter far smoother. Whether it’s tightening seals, testing heating systems, or ensuring your home’s safety features are up to date, a little attention this fall goes a long way toward keeping your home comfortable and secure.
