Valuable Guide to This Year’s Fall Checklist
Fall is an awesome time to prepare for winter by inspecting and weatherproofing your house. Whether you’re enjoying the last days of summer or you’re already well in autumn, it’s important to prepare your home in Manchester, NH for the upcoming seasons.
Here’s a valuable guide that will ensure your house is in tip-top condition for everything fall can throw at you, not to mention make your home comfortable with a properly functioning HVAC system.
DIY Outdoor Care
Trees and Shrubs-If you have trees outside, make sure that they are well trimmed. Look out for signs of disease such as thinning leaves, dead branches, and change in leaf color.
Gutters-During summer, most leaves fall out, and this could clog your gutters. Find a ladder and carefully clean your gutters. Blocked gutters could damage your siding, not to mention cause water to pool.
Exterior Repairs-Take a walk and look for signs of damage on your foundation, siding, or on your roof. If you notice anything, have it repaired before winter hits. Seal the gaps where tiny critters could enter. You can use heavy-duty hardware cloth to keep rodents out.
Weather Stripping- Weather-stripping around the doors and windows help to cut energy costs and boost winter warmth. Incorporate door sweeps to the base of drafty doors to preserve heat. You can use a wool sweater, flannel shirt or fleece blanket to create a cozy draft stopper.
Shut Off Faucets-If you have exterior faucets, make sure that they are shut off to prevent freezing. Do not forget to store the hoses indoors.
DIY Indoor Care
Air Leaks-Find out if there are any gaps and cracks where outdoor air can contact water supply lines connected through the crawl space. Check for voids in the attic and inside exterior walls. Use spray foam insulation or exterior caulking to seal off these openings. If you have a large opening, you can use a wood patch to close off the space.
Water Heater- Have your water heater flushed to get rid of any buildup that could lead to leaks and inefficiency. Look out for rust stains as this could mean that it’s time to get a new water heater.
Sump Pump-Your sump pump is what gets rid of pooling water in your basement. Remove the lid and ensure that it’s clean and not blocked. Pour some water into it to make sure that the drain is working properly.
Smoke Detectors-Most house fires are caused by smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that don’t work. To avoid this, check your detectors and have their batteries replaced as needed.
Thermostat-A thermostat can help you adjust temperatures depending on the season. However, with a manual thermostat, it’s not easy to make these adjustments. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat to ensure that your home is warm and save energy.
Professional Services
Energy Audit-An experienced auditor can assess your home’s energy efficiency and recommend some improvements. These improvements could include adding insulation to your attic, upgrading to Energy Star appliances, and even adding weather-stripping.
Heating and Cooling Maintenance-Making sure that your boiler or furnace is cleaned and working properly is an essential safety measure. Add a chimney cap to prevent critters from crawling down the chimney.
Safety Devices- Fall is the best time to check your fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detectors. Check for radon levels in your home as the weather gets cooler and windows are often closed.
Winterizing your plumbing system will save you from costly emergency repairs. If not sure of where to start, call in a plumbing company to ensure that you’re well prepared to handle whatever weather comes your way.
