The yearly, frenzied bout of spring cleaning is long over. The hectic schedule of summer activities and social events is winding down. And, now, it’s about time to kick back and enjoy the crisp fall air, the fireplace, the toasted marshmallows, and the long evenings at home.
Well, not just yet. There still remain some important home maintenance tasks you should complete this fall in [market city].
You really should take care of these maintenance tasks now before winter hits hard. If you wait too long, harsh weather and busy contractors may make it even tougher to get these tasks done. Let’s take a look at several areas in your home that deserve a little attention this fall.
Furnace/Heating System
Even though the weather is still mild, one of the first home maintenance tasks you should complete this fall in Connecticut, is to thoroughly check out your furnace and heating system – for both efficiency and safety reasons. Late August is probably the best time to make sure of your furnace’s optimal functioning. It’s better to do this in late August and not wait until the dead of winter where other people are having problems and it may be much harder to get an appointment scheduled because HVAC companies are going to be very busy!
The very first step is to replace the filter. Ideally this should be done about every three months so if you haven’t done it in a while, make sure to do so. A filter costs about $15 at your local hardware store and takes seconds to swap out. And then a good second step is to clean ducts where you can (though this may require the services of a professional). The duct from your dryer is usually easy enough for most homeowners to do themselves. However, the remaining ducts within your house will probably be best achieved with a professional company and won’t break the bank. Another recommended part of heating-system maintenance is to call in a professional to go over the system to ensure optimal, as well as safe, performance. It’s better to catch small problems now before they turn into larger costly – and cold – ones later on.
Fireplace and Chimneys
Another important maintenance task is making sure your fireplace and chimney don’t present any safety hazards. You do want to enjoy that crackling fire with some peace of mind, don’t you?
Creosote build-up can present a grave safety hazard that can be the source of a devastating fire. If you’re not sure how to inspect for and then clean creosote build-up, you should probably use the services of an experienced chimney sweep.
Water Lines
While they are technically inside your house, water-supply lines in exterior walls can be susceptible to freezing during cold snaps. Just a little effort now can prevent hugely inconvenient and messy problems in the heart of winter.
So let’s say the water lines for your kitchen sink are under the sink on an exterior wall (which is often the case). There are two things you can do, both of them fairly easy and inexpensive. Simply wrapping these supply lines with insulation designed for this purpose will be a definite freeze-prevention step. Even better would be to wrap those lines, if you have a convenient electrical outlet nearby, with heat tape.
Gutters and Downspouts
Most of us rake up fall’s fallen leaves in the yard, but sometimes we forget about the gutters and downspouts till the heavy rains of the following spring. And over the long haul, that can be a costly oversight.
Clogged gutters and downspouts will cause water to back up and run down behind the gutters and onto the fascia board, leading to rot and eventual replacement. So before the fall rainy season hits, make sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris and draining properly. Even if you don’t have any trees overhanging your house, don’t assume that your gutters are clean and free of debris. We’ve seen houses with zero trees overhead and yet they have weeds and small brush growing out of their gutters. The wind can blow leaves and debris around which may settle in your gutters. Also, if you have solar panels on your roof, a lot of times, birds like to nest under the panels and their droppings can accumulate in your gutters too! Doesn’t hurt to get a ladder up and check them our periodically.
Roof
Of all home maintenance tasks, you should complete this fall in Connecticut, checking the roof is the one most often neglected. But it shouldn’t be.
Violent winter winds, heavy snow, and freezing rain can force water into places on your roof (even uphill) where it would normally never get. Fall, then, is the time to check your roof for broken or missing shingles or tiles. If you do detect any problems, it may be a good idea to call in a roofing contractor.
With these 5 home maintenance tasks, you should complete this fall in Connecticut taken care of, you can now – with peace of mind and a sense of security – relax and enjoy. Still, these are just the basic tasks.