Before the cold weather gets here, you need to make sure that your home is prepared. The fall is a great time to take care of some home repairs and maintenance tasks that you may have been putting off. Here are the six things that you need to get done before the winter.
Gutter Cleaning
Your gutters can get clogged with things like twigs or dead leaves. If your gutters aren’t functioning properly, they won’t be able to do their job to divert rain or melted snow away from your home. This is why it’s a good idea to have your gutters cleaned this fall. For homeowners that want to try to tackle this type of maintenance task themselves, they can use a gutter cleaning tool that attaches right to a garden hose.
Chimney Inspection
There’s a good chance that you’ll be using your chimney a lot starting in the late fall. Before you start using it, you need to have it inspected. The technician will inspect it to make sure that there isn’t anything blocking it and that the flue opens and functions properly.
New Air Conditioning Installation
If your air conditioning system took quite the beating this summer, it probably is a good time to consider new air conditioning installation. A new system will be more energy efficient, and it will allow you to keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. Because fall is considered the off-season for HVAC companies, this is a great time to get a good deal on a new AC unit.
Tree Trimming
Before it starts to get frigid outside, you should have your trees trimmed. The branches won’t start growing again until the spring, and this will allow them enough time to fully heal from being pruned so that they look fuller.
Weatherstripping
It’s almost impossible to keep cold air out of your home if you don’t have proper weatherstripping. Many homeowners choose to replace the weatherstripping around their windows and exterior doors in the fall. If you feel a draft next to your doors or windows, it’s time to replace the weatherstripping.
HVAC Filter Maintenance
A lot of homeowners forget to maintain their HVAC filters. If they are dirty, your HVAC system won’t be able to function properly. These filters should be cleaned or replaced every couple of months. Fall is a good time to check on these and get into a routine.
In order to make sure your home is prepared for the coldest months of the year, you do need to make some repairs and complete a few maintenance tasks. Many of the tasks mentioned above can be completed by homeowners in as little as an afternoon.