Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Before the weather grows colder and we get too caught up carving pumpkins or watching football, we need to spend a few hours taking care of these autumn home maintenance tasks:

1.  Have your HVAC system inspected by a professional to make sure it is preforming at an optimal level and that anything minor is discovered before it turns into something major.  Make sure to change out your furnace filters.
2.   Fireplaces that are regularly used during the season should  be inspected and cleaned before you lite it for the first time to prevent dangerous chimney fires.  
3. Cleaning gutters can be a DIY-friendly project unless your home is taller than two stories.  This should be done frequently throughout fall to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot problems and pest infestations, not to mention ruined gutters.
4. Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to prevent drafts and to lower heating bills.  This is also an easy DIY.
5.  To prevent pipes freezing and bursting, ensure that the pipes are well insulated.  If you don’t have frost-free exterior faucets, shut off their water supply and drain the lines to prevent freezing.  A cover can be purchased at any local hardware store.