Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

It is time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Here are some home maintenance ideas.

Fall is just around the corner. It is time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Here are some home maintenance ideas that will keep your home running in peak condition all winter long.

Exterior Maintenance

• You will want to check the foundation for cracks and caulk such as where pipes or wires enter the house. Ensuring that you check the outside structure combined will save you money, and damages, in the long run.
• Make sure you have storm windows and doors and remove screens. 
• Inspect exterior walls to see if any paint is peeling or blistering on the house or outbuildings. Peeling paint is a sign that the existing paint film is failing. If this is not treated, the siding itself will deteriorate, which leads to expensive repairs.
• Make sure the roof is in good shape, but also inspect for missing and lose shingles. If not taken care of, damage can happen with deterioration to insulation, wood, and drywall.

Interior Maintenance

• Proper sealing and insulation can save up to 20% on costs. Air from windows and doors is easy to find, make sure to apply weather stripping and caulk to areas that have air venting issues. 
• Get your woodstove and fireplace in working order. Gary Webster, Creative Director of Travis Industries, suggests that you examine your wood stove or fireplace insert’s door gasket for a tight seal. Also clean and inspect the glass door for cracks and have the chimney cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep. “A clogged chimney poses the risk of a chimney fire, which can be ignited by burning creosote—a combination of wood tar, organic vapors, and moisture buildup,” says Webster.
• Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling.
• Check basement windows for drafts, loose frames, or cracked panes.
• Vacuum internal parts of air conditioners. 
• Clean your humidifiers regularly during the heating season. Bacteria and spores can develop in a dirty water tank resulting in unclean moisture.

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