Believe it or not, fall is just around the corner which also means so is football, the holidays and most importantly, colder weather.
With that said, how prepared is your home for the winter months?
For many homeowners, it’s very easy to overlook prepping your home for fall and winter, especially during the final few weeks of summer. However, putting a little time and effort into a few key areas in your home can save you a large amount of potential heartache during the winter months.
To help get your home on the right track, the team at Indian Ridge decided to put together this short list of five simple steps nearly all homeowners can take.
1. Check Your Gutters for Garbage!!!
You’ll also want to check your roof and downspouts for any debris as well. One of the most overlooked parts of any home when it comes to preparing for colder weather is the roof since it’s not eye level. Make sure to clear leaves, dirt, and pine needles from gutters. It’s also a good idea to check downspouts for any potential broken parts. Also, don’t forget to keep an eye on any flashing surrounding skylights, your chimney or other extrusions from the roof.
2. Leaky Faucet? Fix it While You Still Can!
Let’s face it. Fixing a simple leaky faucet in your home while the weather’s still being friendly is much easier to deal with than having a busted pipe during the middle of winter. From your bathroom to your kitchen to even your utility room sinks, any leaky faucet repairs taken care of during nicer weather will also save you a few extra dollars in the long run as well.
3. The Fireplace: To Clean or to No To Clean…That is the…
That’s not even a question! This is especially true for those who take advantage of their home’s fireplace during the fall and winter months versus their central heater. Make sure all the ashes have been discarded and that your damper is open, allowing air to move freely through it. Make sure the damper handle and springs are working correctly and make sure the flue is also working properly. Keep in mind this can be a very dirty task. If worse comes to worse, it might be a good idea to hire a chimney sweeper!
4. CLEAN YOUR FILTERS!!!
Changing the filters in your home central air conditioning system and any major appliances in your home which may be utilizing them can not only save you money during the winter months, but keep your family healthier as well. Change out filters in stove vents, clothes dryers and any fans in rooms (if applicable). Also, if you a window unit air conditioner, make sure to remove it from the window and to cover it with a water proof cover to help prevent any damage to it.
5. Take a Stroll Down Your Walkways and Driveway
Sounds simple right? Believe it or not, this is huge. Before your property becomes blanketed in snow, or before it’s simply too cold to go outside, make sure to check your walkways and/or driveway for any issues such as loose pavement or cracks in cement. Fixing these before the “slippery” weather sets in can help prevent any additional falling or tripping accidents.