Ah, fall: The nip of the first chill in the air. The colorful foliage. The pumpkin spice lattes. The pumpkin spice everything.
Oh yeah, and the long list of fall home maintenance tasks awaiting you at the start of the season.
We hate to intrude on your fall bliss, but the post summer months are a critical time for knocking out routine home maintenance to keep your household running smoothly into winter. Luckily, many of these fall home maintenance checklist tasks are easy DIY projects, with options to call in the pros if you prefer. The pro's at Bryan & Bryan have a list of musts to tackle before the falling leaves turn to ice.
1. Check windows and doors for air leaks before fall
Lower temperatures mean higher thermostat settings, and anyone in a cold climate knows the pain of opening a gas bill in the dead of winter.
DIY: If your issues are minor, a few low-budget options to fix leaky doors and windows include caulking around gaps, adding or updating the weatherstripping, and using foam sealant.
Call in the pros: If you have major gaps or just want peace of mind that leaks are sealed properly, call an expert.
2. Clean the chimney
Maintaining a clean fireplace is the simplest and best way to remove creosote, a byproduct of wood combustion that contains tar and toxins.
DIY: If you’ve been keeping up with cleaning your chimney on a yearly basis, you can handle this task on your own, As long as [you] feel capable of using an extension ladder to get to the roof and scrub the chimney!
Call in the pros: If you haven’t cleaned the chimney in a long time, it is recommended that you call an expert to do a thorough clean.
3. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
It’s easy to forget about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (unless a cooking disaster sets off the alarm—we’ve all been there).
DIY: This is a quick and easy project most homeowners can handle on their own. Simply press and hold down the “test” button for a few seconds on each of your detectors.
4. Clean the gutters before the fall
Throughout the year, your gutters fill up with leaves, sticks, and other debris. Failing to clear this gunk from your gutters can mean rain and melting snow won’t be able to drain easily—potentially causing seepage and leaks into your home.
DIY: If you’re comfortable climbing on a ladder to clean your gutters, this is a DIY-friendly task.
Using a bucket, gutter scoop, and heavy-duty gloves, you can remove any debris found in your gutters. Use a hose to wash away any remaining debris and to make sure the downspouts are working properly.
For more information on home inspections and how to get ready for them, contact Bryan & Bryan today at (866) 484-8318 to schedule an inspection. We provide other inspections such as pest control services, stucco services, sewer scopes, irrigation inspections, and more.
Comments