Summer may still be in effect, but fall will be here before you know it. With the colder temperatures on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to do some seasonal home maintenance and keep it in the best condition. If this is your first time doing seasonal maintenance, you might not know where to start. That’s why we’ve created this small, yet informative guide that covers everything you need to know about preparing your home for the fall season.
Start With the Gutters
Your first course of action is to tackle the gutters. The gutters are those long metal beams that go across the roof of a house. Their sole purpose is to redirect rainwater, so it doesn’t cause any water damage to your home. Over time, your gutters can become clogged with several things such as twigs, rocks, and full-blown animal nests. Clogged gutters significantly lower the flow of water and cause an obstruction. Here are the signs of clogged gutters:
- There’s visible mold and mildew.
- The gutters are sagging.
- You’ve noticed an uptick in animals.
- Leaks are becoming more common.
- There’s ponding in your lawn.
- The exterior of your home has water damage.
Mold and water damage is the worst-case scenario, but both can be easily avoided by cleaning out the gutters.
See if Your Home Has Drafts
Whenever you venture outside during the fall season, you feel the cool fall breeze brush upon your skin. However, it’s a problem if you start feeling these breezes inside your own house. This issue is caused by a lack of insulation. Insulation is when you trap heat inside a space to keep it warm. Adding more insulation to your home may sound like something only professional can do, but that’s not exactly the case. You can add insulation yourself by sealing any cracks in the walls, hang up thermal drapes and even replace old windows.
Install a Home Elevator
Installing a residential elevator with a control can be a significant help for a variety of reasons. For starters, it can eliminate the risk of a slip and falls. Why is this relevant? It’s important because slip and falls are the most common household accident that can occur. What’s worse is that the chances of them happening are increased during the fall and winter seasons. Home elevators, however, are a very expensive investment as they can cost tens of thousands. You might need to take out a personal loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to help pay for it. One thing to note is that the fall and winter seasons are a great time to purchase one as the prices can typically be lower.
Change Your Air Filters
Your air filters are what prevent dirt, dust, debris, and bacteria from entering your home as you run your HVAC unit. However, these filters can become clogged, which increases the risk of indoor air pollution, which can increase the risk of allergy and asthma attacks. The frequency of changing air filters depends on where you are, but you need to swap them out at least every three months.
