Inexpensive Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Winter can be very harmful and even outright destructive to a home. There are some inexpensive maintenance items that you can do to properly prepare for the inclement weather to come. Usually, you can prepare your property for the upcoming winter in just one afternoon. The following home maintenance tips will help you save money by lowering your utility bills and assist in protecting your biggest investment, your home.

• Furnace Check-Up - Contact a license HVAC company and have your furnace tuned-up for the winter. An efficiently running furnace will save you money in your heating bills and likely avoid a very costly emergency situation if your heat goes out in the middle of winter. Remember to change your furnace filter 2 to 3 times during the winter season.

• Leaky Faucets - Check your faucets to verify if they are leaking or dripping in your kitchen, bath, and utility rooms. If they are leaking, replace the washer or faucet before winter. Leaky faucets can lead to broken pipes when the temperature dips. Also, turn any water to outside faucets and sprinkler system off for the winter. Un-insulated pipes that lead to the outside of your house are the main culprits that lead to broken pipes during cold weather. If they have water in them and the water expands, it could lead to pipes breaking in your house and possibly an extremely expensive emergency situation.

• Visually Inspect Your Roof - Look at your roof for any damage, which could include: missing shingles, slopes in your roof, improper drainage, or damaged tuck-pointing around any exhaust or vent stacks. If there is debris on your roof, you should remove it and check that area for damage. Also, check any skylights for leakage or condensation.

• Gutters and Down-Spouts - Thoroughly clean your gutters and down-spouts. Remove all debris and encumbrances to make sure water can flow freely away from your house. If your gutters are clogged, water can back up against the house and damage your roof and siding. Your down-spouts should be clean and able to divert water at least 3 feet from your house.

• Windows and Doors - Heating your house in the winter can be very expensive; you should try to eliminate cracks around your windows and doors by re-caulking any opens spaces you find around these areas. Silicone caulk usually works the best because it won't shrink due to weather conditions.

• Fireplace - Before winter sets in, you should have your chimney inspected and the vents cleaned. A clean chimney will lessen the chance of a chimney fire and carbon monoxide seeping into your house.

In addition to the above maintenance items, you should have your snow blower serviced to make sure you are ready for the first snow fall. A little preparation will help keep your home running smoothly and will help you avoid costly emergency repairs. Following an inexpensive home maintenance routine will go a long way in having a safe and comfortable winter.

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