Fall and Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
For home owners, the holiday season means more than sweaters and hot cocoa. Prepare head-on for the fall and winter season with the following home maintenance checklist.
Have Your HVAC System Inspected
Not only can a once yearly inspection extend the life of your heating and cooling unit, it can also maximize its efficiency while minimizing energy usage. Taking care of preventative maintenance will help you avoid costly HVAC breakdowns during the coldest days of the year. When you do hire a technician, make sure they are certified by the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) program.
Inspect Your Roof
Roof upkeep is a critical component of your fall and winter home maintenance checklist. If you have a flat roof, clean it of moisture containing leaves and needles. If you have shingles, look for missing or loose components. These can lead to leakage, which can be particularly unpleasant to discover in the middle of a winter storm. Handling it preventatively now before the damage worsens can prevent this situation from ever occurring, and may also be significantly less expensive.
Clean Your Gutters
While you are up on that roof, might as well clean out those gutters too. Don’t neglect this important part of your home maintenance checklist. Water backflow can damage your roofing and exacerbate leaks.
Stock Up on Winter Supplies
The American Red Cross recommends storing at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food and water for all members of your household, seven days’ worth of medication, a first aid kit, and alternative heating methods such as a wood or coal burning stove and extra blankets for emergency situations. Also consider stocking up on other high-demand winter items that are likely to sell out quickly in the face of the first winter storm such as winter gloves and hats, snow shovels or even a few boxes of powdered hot chocolate.
Cold weather takes a toll on your house, often exacerbating problems which stay hidden during warmer, drying months. A little preventative maintenance and preparation goes a long way when preparing your home for chilly fall and winter seasons.