Cool evenings mean it's time to get the house ready for winter...here are our Top 10 Fall Home Maintenance Tips to help you.
1. Take time to assess the condition of your home, make notes and take action! Walk around your home and make notes room by room of items that need attention. Being aware of issues and taking action are keys to keeping your maintenance costs down.
2. Check caulking around your bathtub, shower and sinks. One of the most common sources of water damage inside of your house is improper caulking -- especially in front of the tub or shower.
3. Check the condition of caulking and paint on the outside of your home. Water intrusion due to the absence of caulk or paint will quickly rot your windows and trim, resulting in costly repairs.
4. Clean the gutters, check downspouts and landscape drains. Water from your roof and gutters must be diverted away from your foundation to prevent erosion and water from getting inside your house.
5. Check that attic vents are unobstructed as well as the condition of attic insulation. Missing insulation or not enough insulation will cause high heating bills and frozen pipes.
6. Check for missing shingles or damaged roofing and flashing. A missing shingle can cause major problems. Catch it early.
7. Service your furnace for winter and replace the filter. Preventative maintenance is important for safety, efficiency and extending the life of your equipment.
8. Rebuild any toilets over 5 years old before gaskets/parts fail. The US Geological service reports that a leaking toilet can waste 8,000 gallons of water per year.
9. Shut-off and drain outdoor faucets, and remove hoses. A hose left on an outdoor faucet will often cause a pipe to burst. Disconnect all outdoor hoses prior to the first freeze.
10. Test all smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, change batteries, & make sure all fire extinguishers are properly charged to keep you and your family safe.
As always, we stand ready to help on these or any repairs with your home.
Sincerely
Joe French
President