12 Home Maintenance Tips For The Fall
With winter fast approaching".Sorry!".You should take a look at this checklist of things to do around the home this Fall
. Most of these points are simple maintenance issues that need to be addressed on a yearly basis, but some of them can save you lots of money in energy costs if done regularly.
1) Change the air filter in your furnace. This should be done seasonally, so you will see this point 3 more times on this checklist. Unimpeded airflow will not only keep the air you breathe clean but it will also lengthen the life of your furnace.
2) Be sure to have your furnace inspected by a qualified technician to ensure it is running at maximum efficiency. While you are at it, be sure to check the fireplace (including chimney) and hot water tank.
3) Examine and reapply weather stripping around doors and windows.
4) Inspect the attic to see if vents are clear and that you are free of critters. This would also be a good time to examine the R-Value of your insulation. If the level of insulation looks low, you may want to invest in some more blown in insulation as that is one of the best and most economical ways of reducing your heating costs.
5) Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to prevent drafts and reduce energy costs.
6) Clean the gutters and ensure all downspouts are running away from the foundation to prevent water accumulating around the foundation of the home. The last thing you want is water pooling around your foundation wall and then freezing!
7) Disconnect garden hoses, shut off water supply to the outside and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the section of pipe just inside the house.
8) Empty or use all the gas in your lawn tools so you don"t have problems starting them in the spring. You can use stabilizer to keep the fuel fresher longer, but it is a good idea to check in the manuals to see what the manufacturer recommends for winter storage.
9) Fertilize and over seed the lawn.
10) Bring in all of your lawn furniture"unless RUST was the colour you were going for the next time you use them.
11) Reorganize shed/garage, put summer tools at the back and make your shovels, ice scrapers and snow blowers more accessible.
12) Stock up on winter items such as salt, ice melt, shovels, etc. You don"t want to wait for the first snow to fly before you realize you have to run to Canadian Tire!
You still have a bunch of weekends left to do all the work, so don"t worry. Tackle a few projects each weekend but make sure they all get done.
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by: Sean Kavanagh
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