As much as I believe that homes should be full of personality and style, regular home maintenance is equally (if not more) important. Having a fabulous looking home while ignoring regular maintenance is like being good-looking with a terrible personality. Your home’s beauty is only skin deep. By establishing regular and seasonal home maintenance schedules, you can identify small problems before they become big, costly ones. This Fall Home Maintenance Checklist will help you protect your investment and maintain the beauty of your home -inside and out.
The Fall Home Maintenance Checklist Every Homeowner Needs
1. Hit the Roof
If you’re able to do so. use binoculars to scan the roof for missing, loose, or damaged shingles that can result in leaks during storms or snow. A handyman or roofer can repair a small section of shingles for less than $150.00. Also check flashing around vent stacks and chimneys for damage.
2. Check Your Chimney and Fireplace
According to the The National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is a leading cause of house fires. Failure to clean the chimney is leading factor in most cases. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified professional before you roast those chestnuts on an open fire.
3. Seal the Deal.
Keep the cold air out and the warm air in by caulking around windows and replacing worn weatherstripping around exterior and garage doors.
4. Get a Tune Up.
Don’t wait until the first chilly night to turn on your heating system. Have a HVAC professional inspect your furnace or heat pump and give it a tune up. The service call is generally around $100.00 but making sure your system runs efficiently and safely is well worth the cost.
5. Check the detectors.
During cooler months, there is an increase in home fires due to increased furnace use. Make sure you and your family are safe. Check the batteries in all smoke detectors and test them to make sure they operate properly.
6. Change Directions.
Did you know that ceiling fans can help keep your home warm? Most ceiling fans have a switch that allows you to change the direction the blades rotate. Flip the switch so that the fan rotates clockwise. This will allow warm air around the ceiling to be forced down the walls, to the floor, and then recirculated.
7. Be Weather Emergency Ready.
Two years ago, winter storms brought everything to a screeching halt here in Alabama and in several other Southern states. Many of us were without power for days and thick sheets of ice made travel impossible. An emergency kit that contains, food, water, and necessary supplies will ensure you and your family are able to weather any potential storm. An emergency supply checklist suggested by FEMA can be found here.
Time to get to work, guys! Over the next two weekends, set aside some time to complete your fall home maintenance checklist. Then you can relax, enjoy some college football (ROLL TIDE!), the coming holidays and avoid major home maintenance catastrophes.