Create a Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Cooler weather is arriving. While you may be ready to dig out your winter clothes and start a fire in the fireplace, don’t forget to take care of your home. Creating a fall home maintenance checklist helps you plan essential tasks to complete before winter arrives. Preparing for cooler weather helps you avoid expensive problems during the coldest months of the year.
HVAC Maintenance: An Important Part of Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
One of the most important systems in your home is the heating and air conditioning system. Not only are these units costly to repair or replace, but they also provide an essential source of heat throughout the winter months.
Schedule an annual inspection and cleaning early in the fall so that you can learn about any issues and take action before the weather gets cold. HVAC technicians are much busier during the winter months, so calling one in the early fall is ideal.
Fall Outdoor Cleaning
The cooler and wetter winter weather can wreak havoc on outdoor decor and equipment. Cracking, rusting, and accelerated wear and tear are common for items that are left outdoors in the elements.
Prepare patio furniture for winter, bring play equipment and grills inside, and inspect the exterior of your home. Correct any smaller problems, like damaged siding or improperly sealed windows, to save money and time in the long run.
Winter Plumbing Concerns
An essential task that should be included on any fall home maintenance checklist is to prepare the plumbing for cooler weather. Nobody wants to have a burst pipe when temperatures drop below freezing.
This tasks can be as simple as installing pipe insulation on all exterior pipes and spigots. Detach any hoses and cover outside water faucets to prevent cracking from freezing and expansion. Pipes in crawlspaces and basements are also exposed to cold temperatures, so preventive measures should be taken to avoid a potential disaster.
Fall Home Maintenance Includes Checking Your Roof
Weight from ice and snow can harm roofs, especially ones with prior damage. Hire a professional to inspect your roof for any missing shingles, damaged flashing, and other areas of concern. This will help prevent leaks and larger issues from developing. Clean your gutters to make sure water and melting snow can flow off of your roof and away from your home.
Plan Ahead for Fall Home Maintenance
Protect your home from harsh winter weather to reduce the chance of emergencies and decrease the severity of damages. Use a fall home maintenance checklist to organize tasks and budget for any work that needs to be done.
R. Sorensen Construction and Inspections provides home inspections to Eastern Oregon. Contact us to request our services.