Autumn checklist for your home
The lawn mower is put away and you’ve checked your parka, but are you really ready for winter? There are many key areas around the house that are important to prepare for the cooler months that many overlook or simply forget. Face the winter head-on with confidence this year.
Inspect and clean your chimney
and fireplace. In the summer months, a fireplace is no more than a decorative piece for the house. However, in the winter, fireplaces can play a major role as some families depend on them as a reliable heat source. Bringing in a professional to survey and ensure that your chimney is in working order will help mitigate the risk of polluting your home with harmful smoke or carbon monoxide.
Get to the gutters. In the fall months, gutters can easily fill with leaves and debris, leading to bigger problems down the line. When the snow eventually melts and turns to water, clogged gutters can cause water to be rerouted elsewhere, which can do significant damage if it were to filter towards the foundation of the house. Be sure to clean them out before the winter months. Ensure snow blowers are in working
order. Once the last snowfall is finally cleared from the driveway, families who own a snow blower are likely to store them in the garage for the season. Don’t get caught in the midst of the first major snowfall with a faulty snow blower that needed replacing the previous year.
While we all hope ‘summery’ weather lasts into fall, cooler temperatures are already here. Weather changes can spotlight vulnerable areas in your home, especially once the snow begins to fall. It is important to plan ahead, so follow this checklist to get ready for the coming months.
Window inspection. As the temperature drops, it is important to check for drafts and cracks. This will ensure the warmth is kept inside the home and ultimately could help reduce costly energy bills.
Inspect heating systems. A home’s heating system has to be 100% dependable in the winter months. Have your heating system inspected to ensure that it is clean and in good working order. Do this sooner rather than later, as heating technicians can be in high demand and the repair could take a while.