As the crisp air of autumn rolls in, it’s time to start thinking about prepping your home for the cooler months ahead. Fall is the perfect season to tackle some essential home maintenance tasks that will keep your house cozy, safe, and efficient throughout the winter. To help you out, we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist to ensure your home is ready to face whatever the colder weather may bring.
1. Furnace Maintenance
Your furnace is the heart of your home’s heating system, and ensuring it’s in top condition before the temperature drops is crucial. Here’s what to do:
- Schedule a Professional Inspection: Have your furnace serviced (also known as a tune-up/maintenance). This includes checking the thermostat, cleaning the burners, and ensuring the heat exchanger is in good shape. HVAC manufacturers recommend annual maintenance to help stay in warranty compliance.
- Change the Filter: A clean air filter improves airflow and efficiency, reducing energy bills and extending the life of your furnace. Dirty filters are one of the leading causes for HVAC equipment malfunctions. (We include a 1” air filter with our signature furnace tune-ups).
2. Check the Sewer Main Line
Fall is an ideal time to inspect your sewer main line, especially if your home has mature trees with extensive root systems.
- Schedule a Sewer Line Inspection: Roots can infiltrate and clog your sewer line, leading to sewage backups. A professional inspection can identify issues before they become serious problems. Sewer problems often catch homeowners by surprise. One way to avoid this is with a sewer camera inspection every few years.
3. Get Your Yard & Plumbing Ready for Cooler Temperatures
Prepping your yard now will not only protect your landscaping but also make your spring cleanup much easier.
- Fix the Drips: A leaking outdoor faucet can lead to a burst pipe if temperatures drop below freezing. When water freezes it expands which can cause pipes to rupture. If you need to replace an outdoor faucet, consider a frost-free version.
- Rake Leaves and Debris: Clearing leaves and debris prevents mold growth and keeps your lawn healthy.
- Aerate the Lawn: Aerating your lawn improves root development and helps your grass absorb water and nutrients better during the fall and winter months.
- Prune Trees and Shrubs: Trimming back branches, especially those close to your home, can prevent damage during winter storms and encourage healthy growth in the spring.
- Winterize Sprinkler Systems: Drain and shut off your irrigation system to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
4. Inspect and Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Falling leaves can quickly clog your gutters, leading to water damage and ice dams as temperatures drop.
- Clean Out Gutters: Remove leaves, sticks, and other debris to ensure proper water flow.
- Check for Leaks and Damage: Inspect your gutters and downspouts for any signs of wear and tear, and make repairs as needed.
- Ensure Proper Drainage: Make sure downspouts direct water away from your home’s foundation to prevent basement flooding and soil erosion.
5. Seal Windows and Doors
Drafty windows and doors can significantly increase your heating costs during the colder months.
- Check for Air Leaks: Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any gaps around windows and doors.
- Install Storm Windows: If you have older windows, consider installing storm windows to add an extra layer of insulation.
- Inspect and Replace Door Sweeps: Door sweeps help keep the cold air out, so ensure they’re in good condition or replace them if necessary.
6. Inspect the Roof and Chimney
Your roof and chimney are your home’s first line of defense against the elements.
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- Check for Missing or Damaged Shingles: Replace any missing or damaged shingles to prevent leaks.
- Inspect Flashing: Ensure that the flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights is secure and intact.
- Schedule a Chimney Inspection: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, a professional chimney sweep can clean out creosote buildup and check for any structural issues.
- Heat Tape: Consider heat tape to prevent build up of snow and ice dams that can lead to damage to your roof.
- Check Your HVAC Placement: If snow accumulates on your roof and your HVAC equipment is positioned where snow can fall on it, you may want to add a layer of protection (a roof structure) above your condenser. Heavy snow falling off roofs has been known to crush condensers.
7. Check Your Electrical – Smoke Detectors & CO Detectors
If your home has a fireplace it’s especially important to make sure your smoke & CO detectors are working properly.
- Check the Batteries: Make sure your smoke and CO detector batteries are still good.
- Look for the Detectors Expiration: Smoke and CO detectors don’t last forever. An expiration date should be listed on them. Ensure that your detectors are still within their recommended lifespan (usually 8 – 10 years).
8. Stock Up on Winter Essentials
Prepare for the first snowfall and potential winter storms by stocking up on essential supplies.
- Check Snow Removal Equipment: Ensure your snow blower is in working order and that you have shovels, ice melt, and other snow removal tools ready.
- Restock Emergency Supplies: Keep flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable food items on hand in case of power outages or severe weather.
By taking care of these essential home maintenance tasks now, you’ll be setting your home up for a warm, safe, and hassle-free winter. Black Diamond Experts technicians are ready to help with any heating & air, electrical, or plumbing maintenance your home may need for your Fall/Winter preparations.
