Fall is a refreshing time of year filled with activities like festivals, pumpkin and picking. It is also a time, as the air turns crisp and the temperatures drop, to prepare for foul weather in the coming months.
Setting time aside to prepare your home is easy. You can start by making a checklist of simple maintenance items, that when completed, can save you money and prevent larger expenses and repair bills down the road. Separate your checklist into interior and exterior tasks. Your interior items should include all those household systems that provide comfort and safety.
- Service your heating system to make sure your furnace is ready for the season ahead.
- Check the hot water heater to make sure there is not excess condensation building on the outside of the tank and its properly insulated.
- Clean air vents, blow out duct work, and change air filters to clear out accumulated dust and allergens.
- Check your vent system behind your clothes dryer to make sure it’s not clogged from build-up of old lint, which can cause fires. You can even use a leaf blower to blow through the vent to make sure it clears out stuck dryer lint and residue.
- Check out attic vents as well to clear dust and debris.
- Schedule chimney sweeps to clean the entire flue including the flue lining, smoke chamber and damper.
- Plan to replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries now and set a calendar reminder to repeat this task same month every year.
- Seal cracks on windows and doors.
- Ensure pipes are well insulated and ready for cold weather.
- Reverse ceiling fans for proper air circulation, which saves money on heating costs.
When you start to assess your exterior maintenance needs, consider everything from the yard to the exterior of your home, as well as your garage.
- Ensure you have proper storage to put away outdoor furniture, cushions and planters.
- Have a plan to turn off outdoor water and drain faucets.
- Winterize your outdoor sprinkler system and/or store hoses.
- Rake leaves and bag or take to the curb for pick-up.
- Clean out gutters and clear out downspouts.
- Overseed lawn - aerate lawns.
- Plant spring bulbs or other plants you want to flower in the spring.
- Trim any broken or low hanging limbs or tree branches.
- Clean and organize your garage to make space for your car, so during inclement weather you can keep it out of rain and snow.
- Inspect the roof to make sure flashing and shingles are in good shape to prevent leaks.
- Repair driveway and sidewalks
- Test your winter equipment: make sure you can access shovels, ice melt, salt and snow gear if needed.
You may find additional areas in your home that need some attention to keep your property secure and comfortable over the coming months, but taking care of these items in advance can help your household run efficiently and help you save on heating and repair costs.
For more information about property protection, reach out to Hurley Insurance Group and learn how to protect what matters most to you. Visit www.hurleyinsurancegroup.com or call one of our office locations.