Fall weather is growing cooler and the summer season has come to an end. Now is the ideal time to prepare your home for the ever-changing New England weather.
The beautiful foliage is one of the benefits of living in the Northeast, but it can also be a hindrance for homeowners. Take the time to have gutters and leaders cleaned out regularly this season. A clog in your gutters can cause water to back up with nowhere to go causing an unnecessary leak into your home.
It is also imperative to inspect the condition of your roof prior to the hurricane and winter seasons. Missing shingles, chimney flashings, mortar joints and crowns for any cracks or openings that can also create problems for the inside of your home if not addressed. We can use a small drone to quickly survey roofs for problems, saving time and alerting you to any issues before they get worse.
You may have noted areas around your house in need of pressure washing and painting in the spring. Fall is the perfect time to complete any pressure washing, painting or touch ups your home requires. The lower humidity and mild (but not cold) temperatures are perfect conditions for a new paint system to cure and adhere properly. You may also be able to take advantage of seasonal pricing many contractors offer this time of year.
Schedule An Appointment
Be mindful of energy consumption and costs. Weather-stripping is a simple yet effective way to stop cold air from entering and heat from escaping through incorrect or nonexistent weatherproofing. Remember to add weather-stripping not only to windows and doors, but to the bottom of the garage doors also to eliminate drafts and keep out small animals. They love to find a nice warm place to call home when the temperatures start to drop. Clean and install storm windows to further insulate your home.
If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, you should make sure that it is in fact ready for the season and in good working order. At the same time, double check that your flue is working properly. You should have your chimney cleaned before using your fireplace to make sure there are no critters or excessive build up that could cause smoke to come back into your home.
Remember to shut off outdoor faucets and drain exterior lines and hoses and store for the colder months. A frozen or burst pipe can easily be prevented as long as you are prepared.
Start your HVAC system and make sure the heat is working properly. Change out air filters and schedule regular maintenance before your HVAC Company is too busy. It is better to know your heat is not working now and get it taken care of before you need it and it is too late. Changing the filters will also help reduce allergens in your home’s heating system for many of us that suffer from seasonal and airborne allergens.
These simple tips can help keep your home running as efficiently as possible. With schedules starting to get busier, the more we prepare and maintain our homes, the less time we have to spend responding to situations that may arise. Contact your Homesquare account manager for a free consultation. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure!