I’m a big proponent of preventative maintenance!
Your home is your biggest financial investment, and with regularly scheduled maintenance you can proactively protect your investment. There is no better way to keep little things from turning into bigger more costly things than preventative maintenance. I can’t stress that enough. I’ve seen many costly repairs that could have been avoided if routine maintenance had been done.
A well-maintained home will pay dividends over the years. If you don’t have the time or the skills to perform these routinely, give CHS a call to assist you!
Let’s start with a Fall Maintenance Checklist:
· Winterize cooling unit and cover. Whatever your cooling system, make sure to winterize it. It is also good to cover it up to keep it warm and to keep debris from getting in and ruining the appliance.
· Winterize sprinklers. Whatever method of winterization you prefer for your sprinklers is fine, just make sure to have them winterized. You don’t want the water to stay there over the winter because it could freeze, expand, and crack the pipes of the sprinkler system. Many landscaping companies can assist you with this.
· Turn off and flush exterior water faucets. Make sure to turn off the water to your exterior faucets and drain them so they don’t have water in them over the winter. You can also cover the faucets to help insulate them. Disconnect any outdoor hoses.
· Insulate pipes that are more exposed to cold temperatures. This can be especially important in a vacation home, or when you go away for longer periods of time over the winter.
· Have HVAC inspected and serviced. Have a professional come check out your furnace to make sure it is good to go for the winter season. The last thing you want is for the furnace to give out on a very cold night. Keep those furnace filters routinely changed every month.
· Inspect and possibly replace weather stripping around doors and windows. Weather stripping helps seal up your doors and windows. It keeps out cold and hot temperatures, and also keeps out bugs. If you feel a draft coming in, you know for sure you need weather stripping to help seal the cracks. It is fairly easy to install this yourself but if you don’t have the time, I can help!
· Clean gutters. Whatever your method, leaf blower or by hand, make sure to clean out your gutters once the majority of your leaves have fallen. If you have a lot of big trees around, you may need to do this a couple of times. This will prevent water and ice from pooling up in the gutters over the winter. If gutters need to be replaced, now is the time. A well maintained gutter system ensures the water drains away from your home, keeping it from pooling, and possibly leaking into your basement.
· Clean out basement window wells of debris. Clean out your window wells from leaves and debris. This will prevent animals from choosing it as a warm home. You can also install weather guards to go over your window wells. However, make sure they are not locked shut from the outside. They need to open from the inside in case someone would need to escape from the window in an emergency.
· Clean yard of any lawn debris. Rake the leaves and debris in your yard. There are a few options with what to do with the leaves. You can rake the leaves under bushes and shrubs because it helps to insulate the plants over the winter. Others dispose of the leaves altogether, using leaf bags approved by the city. And others actually just mow over the leaves to add a layer of fertilization to their lawn. This is called mulching, and I prefer to this method as much as possible.
· Recaulk around windows and doors as needed. If you see any cracking in the caulk around your windows and doors, be sure to reseal them. Cold air can get in this way if not properly patched up. This will help with those increasing energy costs!
· Take care of pests and insects as needed. As the weather cools down, pests look for warmer places to make a home. If they find a way to get into your house they will. Seal any areas that they are using as the door to your home.
· Have fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned. If you like to use your fireplace as a source of heat in the winter, be sure to have it inspected and cleaned. Even if you don’t use it that often, it’s not a bad idea to have it inspected and cleaned. You want to be sure you don’t run a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
· Clean out garage of dirt and debris. This is a good time to take all of those cans and bottles back, as well as any other recyclables. As the leaves fall they tend to find themselves inside of houses and garages. Take a broom or leaf blower and clean out the debris in the garage to help make it less appealing to pests and critters.
· Flush water heater or boiler and remove sediment. To ensure that your water heater lives a long life, you need to flush it once a year to remove sediment build-up. You can have this done professionally, or learn how to do it yourself, there are several videos on YouTube.
· Store patio furniture for winter. If you want your patio furniture to look like new and last for years, you will need to store or cover it to protect it from the harsh winter weather.
· Inspect winter gear and make accessible Keep those shovels, snow blowers and insulated outdoor clothing items in a handy place! Be sure the snowblower is tuned up, and it starts before the first snowfall. Put the lawnmower away for the winter. .
· Stock up on firewood. If you have a wood-burning fireplace that you like to use in the winter, be sure to stock up on firewood cover it to keep it dry. Be sure to store it outside, bringing it inside can bring bugs in or attract bugs in your home or garage..
· Clean and cover pool. If you have a pool, make sure to properly drain it, winterize it, clean it, and cover it up for the winter. Many professional pool companies will do this for you if you aren’t sure how.
Are there any other items I may have overlooked or shortcuts, tips or tricks you would like to share with others? Feel free to share in the comments section!
CHS can perform many of the services talked about here. It is well worth the investment to perform these items routinely.
We all know how unpredictable the Iowa weather can be, so be sure your home is ready to withstand the storm.
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