As fall arrives in your area, make sure your home is in good shape and will continue to operate efficiently as the weather turns chillier. Inspect the key areas of your house where cold, damp days could cause problems and take care of needed repairs or updates.
Make Basic Repairs
Look for all the DIY tasks that need to be done while the weather is still nice. Fix broken steps or hand railings. Replace batteries in your smoke alarms and CO detectors. Check your flashlight batteries and get new ones in case of a power outage. This is also a good time to update your light bulbs for the longer-lasting variety to brighten the longer nights that will soon be here.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
Have professionals check out your heating system to ensure nothing is on the verge of going bad. You don’t want to lose heat in the middle of the night, especially over the weekend when emergency repairs cost more than regular visits. If you have been thinking about getting whole-house air conditioning or updating the unit you have had for years, this is the perfect time for AC system installation. Prices are often lower in the fall, and technicians can often be quickly scheduled to do the work in about a day’s time.
Weather-Proof All Points of Entry
Check your doors and windows and replace damaged weather strips. Make sure the seals are sound to prevent warm air indoors from escaping or to keep cold outdoor air from entering. Damaged framework or cracked panes should be repaired now so they don’t need attention in colder weather.
Utilize Warm Weather
Make good use of the remaining nice weather days. Open the windows to heat and brighten your home with natural sunlight, which can help to reduce energy bills. Letting cool breezes in will lower the need for air conditioning. Repairs on windows, doors, the porch, and the foundation can be done outside before the weather turns cold.
Waterproof the Basement
You may want to waterproof your basement if you have had or anticipate the possibility of basement flooding. Even if your basement was waterproofed before, if it has been several years, this might be a good time to have it redone. Check the faucets and drains to ensure they are working correctly without leaks or backup.