With autumn on the way, temperatures will cool down and the leaves will start to fall. It’s also the perfect time to get some vital home maintenance done so that you can protect your investment!
Take Proper Care of Your Gutters
Your gutters are an essential part of your home’s drainage systems. Without them, water can pool around your home, potentially degrading your foundation and presenting a risk of flooding. The late summer season is the best time to make sure that your gutters are in working order.
Heading into the fall, many homes will have leaves accumulating in gutters. When gutters are full of leaves, they aren’t able to redirect significant rainfall away from your home. Instead, they’ll overflow, sending water splashing down around your foundation.
Cleaning out gutters is just the first step. Next, carefully check the troughs and downspouts for any damage that should be repaired. By taking on these tasks early in the season, you can rest easy when the leaves start falling!
Check Your Home for Drafts
Your home relies on weatherstripping to keep out drafts. As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, these drafts will make your home less comfortable and increase your heating bills.
You might be able to identify large drafts on your own, but if you’re not sure how to do it, you may find that a consultation with a home heating professional can help. Professionals can use tools like thermal cameras to identify drafts. They can assess the places where your home is losing heat and can provide the appropriate repairs and maintenance.
Oftentimes, this is as simple as applying weatherstripping to doors or caulking around windows. You can avoid uncomfortable drafts with just a little preventative maintenance.
Repair Any Roof Damage
Autumn winds can do a number on any loose shingles or tiles. Before the fall season hits, consider scheduling a roof inspection. A professional inspection can help to identify any problems that could cause problems during rainy or snowy seasons.
Even small leaks should be promptly repaired because they’ll only get worse over time. By addressing issues while they are small, you can avoid massive repair bills down the line.
Get a Heating System Tune-Up
Your furnace or heating system likely hasn’t been running for a few months. A thorough inspection and tune-up can ensure that your systems are fully operational before the weather starts to cool down.
A tune-up usually includes an inspection of mechanical and electrical components for the heating system. These systems build up dirt over time, leading to higher energy costs. By scheduling a tune-up, you can make sure that your system is ready to keep you warm and cozy all winter.
An Ounce of Prevention
With just a few simple steps, you can make sure that your home is fully ready for the cooler weather at the end of the year. A little bit of work for preventative maintenance can keep your home in great shape for anything.
