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PREPARE FOR FALL WITH 6 QUICK MAINTENANCE CHECKS Welcome to fall - the season of falling leaves, shades of orange and yellow flooding the streets and pumpkin flavored everything. Fall means nights get longer, weather turns cooler and the spooky holiday of Halloween is creeping upon us. All this excitement in the air might cause one to overlook the fact that homes need a little TLC during this cooling season. Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the dropping temperatures before winter's frosty bite takes over. Here are six little things you can take care of this autumn that can make a big difference for you and your home. Interior Maintenance 1. Check for drafts.  Small drafts of cold air can really make an impact in your home without you even noticing it. Even the smallest uncovered hole has the ability to bring in an unwanted breeze. To avoid this, feel for drafts around the edges of windows and doors. If necessary, replace seals and repair caulking around window and door frames. Another trick is to put up thick drapes against windows and you’ll notice the cold gusts will no longer make their way into your cozy home. 2. Inspect your furnace.  Cooler temperatures mean you’ll be depending on your furnace’s efficiency more than ever. To make sure it’s in tip-top shape, have an HVAC professional test it out for leaks, check heating efficiency and change the filter in order for your furnace to serve you during these long cold months. Tip: stock up on extra air filters and change them every few months to get the best out of your heating system. 3. Programmable thermostat.  A programmable thermostat can cost as little as $20 and run up to $300, depending on the features. The purchase price is minimal compared to the substantial amount of money you’ll be saving in your energy bills if you use the device correctly. Make sure to set it so that it lowers the temperature at night and when you’re not home for maximum savings. Exterior Maintenance 4. Do a roof check.  Inspecting your roof for missing, damaged or loose shingles is crucial in making sure you don’t have to pay the big bucks when the damage is at its peak. The best thing to do is climb up and check it out yourself. If you’re not able to, grab a pair of binoculars and scope it out from the ground. For those who have a flat roof, removing leaves and debris should be enough to prepare for the new season. 5. Clean the gutters.  Removing leaves, nests and debris can avoid unnecessary blockage that can only make matters worse in the winter. You can hire a service or clean it yourself. While removing excess debris, check for leaks. 6. Remove leaves.  Get a head start on your leaf removal by clearing those pesky leaves from your front and back yard. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised how fast they can add up and cause a nuisance in your home. Just pack them into yard garbage bags and leave them at the curb for community pick up. Simple as that. Michelle Quintero is a passionate writer who enjoys documenting and learning about the world through different forms of communication. She is a graduate of San Francisco State University who specialized in Broadcast Communication Arts. Along with her knowledge of broadcasting, she is also specialized in conveying messages through other platforms, such as social media, blogs, and news writing. Michelle has always had a fascination with real estate and is looking forward to writing for Coldwell Banker. Original Source: Colorado Home & Style |
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