Who doesn't love fall? Numerous fall carnivals, the changing of the leaves, getting into the swing of a new school year, and oh yeah football! Most people have better things to do on a beautiful fall day other than home maintenance but fall maintenance on your home is just as important as spring cleaning. Regular home maintenance can save you thousands of dollars later on utility bills and extend the life of items in your home.
Each fall you should take steps to ensure that your home is ready for the upcoming winter. You should check your windows and doors to make sure they are working properly and make any repairs necessary. Also, check for any air leaks and re-caulk as necessary. It is a good idea to remove screens and place them in an attic or garage to avoid wear and tear during the winter months. Fall is a great time to clean out gutters and downspouts and check for any repairs that may be needed to them. Flush with a water hose to make sure they are draining properly. You might have to repeat this process as more autumn leaves fall from the trees.
Inside your home you should replace your furnace filter and have a professional come and inspect the furnace and perform any required maintenance before lighting it. It is also a great time to have your air conditioner inspected and winterized (possibly by the same professional). Your water heater should be drained to remove any sediment that may have built up (this should be done annually). It is also a good idea to remove any garden hoses and insulate exterior pipes as needed. If you are like me, your fireplace will get a lot of use during the winter so have your chimney professionally cleaned. Don't forget to replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors if you have them (if you don't have them definitely install them).
If you there are no handymen in your home and you live in the Collin county area give a call to Wayne Flores at Home Maintenance Solutions to take care of this for you. www.hmsrepair.com
Take time to perform regular fall maintenance on your home...your pocket book will thank you later!
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