Tips for fall home maintenance

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

By Chuck Solomon, www.CarolinaHandyman.com

I have posted some additional tips via video to add to the tips below, as with any tips, it is usually best to review your needs to see if it is a DIY project or best to call upon a professional.

The leaves have fallen and this is a perfect time to perform some maintenance tasks. Winter will soon be here, so take advantage of the temperate weather to perform these activities. The majority of these tasks can be completed by a DIY “do it yourselfer” or a “handy” homeowner. If you are in doubt about any listed task it is best to call a qualified professional. Maintaining your home this Fall will ensure your home is in good shape come Winter.

STOPPING THE DRAFT. Preventing cold air from entering your home by checking your home’s weather-stripping. You’ll typically find weather-stripping usually around entry doors and sometimes around windows. Look for signs of wear and replace if needed. Consider adding storm doors if you don’t already have them installed. This is a relatively inexpensive home improvement item, typically $250 +/- for labor and materials if you have a professional handle for you. If you have a crawlspace or basement equipped with vents, it’s generally a good idea to close them during the winter to help keep pipes from freezing.

BRING IT INSIDE. When the temperature drops, it’s time to start bringing in or storing those outside items. Clearing your  garden hoses of water and storing them inside. Outside furniture, grills, toys and other recreational items usually last longer if they aren’t exposed to the coming winter weather. Also, winterizing your rain barrel before freezing temperatures set in will ensure it will be ready for use in the Spring. If you have an irrigation system, you will need to winterize that as well.

CHECK YOUR HVAC SYSTEM. Finding out your home’s heating system doesn’t work properly on the first cold night of the year is not fun for anyone. Go ahead and turn on your heating system and check to see if it appears to heat your home. Don’t forget to change all of your air filters too! It is best to have a qualified heating specialist come services your system before it gets cold.

WATER TRYING TO GET IN. Water will enter your home if your home is not properly sealed and weatherized.  It is best to review this your exterior thoroughly.  Your first line of defense is your roof and siding. Take a good look at your roof and siding from the ground looking for missing or damaged shingles and siding. Looking through a pair of binoculars often helps with this. Next check in your attic looking for signs of water. Finally, check your basement or crawlspace for signs of water. Remember water usually leaves a mark darker than the item it dried on. It is good to catch these problems while they are small.

WATER TRYING TO GET OUT. Fall is a good time to check each of the plumbing fixtures in you home to be sure that you don’t have any leaks. Remember many times leaks start small and get bigger thereby causing greater damage. Places to check include: around toilets, under sinks, around tubs & showers, and your hot water heater. Again, check for signs of water where it shouldn’t be, all around your home. Also, how old are the water supply lines on your ice maker and washing machine? These supply lines are inexpensive and simple to change out and should be replaced every 5 years at a minimum.

DON’T GO UP IN SMOKE OR FLAMES. If you use your wood burning fireplace or stove, have it inspected by a qualified chimney sweeper before the winter hits. Excessive build up of creosote in your chimney flue can cause fires in your chimney which can spread to your house. Most chimney sweep companies offer low-cost or even free inspections. Be on the safe side and have it checked. While on the subject of fire safety, go ahead and check the operation of and change the battery if needed in each of your homes smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

CLEAR THE LEAVES. One of the least desirable yet very important home maintenance tasks is cleaning the gutters. Towards late fall, after all the leaves have fallen from the trees, clear your gutters and downspouts. This may also be a good time to consider some kind of gutter guards. Despite manufacturers claims, there are no perfect gutter guards. Debris will accumulate over time, so the best ones allow you to easily remove and reinstall after clearing the detritus.

ASK FOR HELP.  Please don’t wait until something breaks to find someone to repair your home. You should have the names and contact information for qualified service people in your area handy. Ask your friends and colleagues for referrals. Getting referrals are often a great way of finding someone that you can rely on. Also, check with the local Better Business Bureau.  Some service professionals to consider having names and phone numbers for include: Plumber, Electrician, Heating & AC Repairman, Remodeling Contractor, and a General Handyman.

Remodel and Repair by Handyman Solutions serves the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) with remodel, repair, painting and handyman services. Learn more at www.CarolinaHandyman.com.

Tags: Maintenance, tips