It’s fall here in the great Pacific Northwest! That means the weather’s changing, the trees are dropping leaves, and we’re firing up those heaters in our homes and offices. As we go through these seasonal adjustments – even though we are still as busy as ever – it’s a good idea to cover all the little ‘to-do’ maintenance items that are so easy to overlook. Here is a list of Top 10, Not-to-be-Missed Home Maintenance Items to get to this fall from live-work-play.
- Clean out roof gutters!!! Overflowing gutters can lead to roof and wall leaks and other water damage. Ensure the downspouts are draining properly, away from the foundation to avoid water leaking into the basement or crawl space.
- Make sure the roof is clean. Leaves and other debris on roofs can shorten the life of the roof and add to the debris in the gutters (see above) – No thank you!
- Pull or clip vegetation away from the walls of your home. Not only can vegetation actually grow inside the walls, it encourages moisture in areas where you don’t want it, and creates a fine place for insects and rodents to get inside.
- Clean out other drains, such as basement drains and exterior stairwell drains. This one’s pretty obvious – blocked and clogged drains cause flooding which can potentially damage stored items in your basement or crawl space.
- As noted above, it’s time to start up your heating system. Make sure it is in top running condition–an annual tune-up service call is worth it! If applicable, install new filters and be sure there’s no dust built up in and around your heater.
- If you’ve removed storm windows for the summer, it’s time to reinsert them for energy savings.
- If you don’t have the newer-style freeze-proof hose bibb, be sure to cover your exterior faucets. Even if you do have these newer hose bibbs, it’s a good idea to cover them anyway and detach any hoses from them.
- Clean leaves and other plant debris out of street gutters and drains near your home. When street drainage is blocked, water can pool, interfering with pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles and potentially flooding yards.
- Add or update weatherstripping to doors to prevent drafts. Keep that heat inside and keep heating costs down!
- Trim any tree limbs that are close to power lines or the roof of your house so the wind does not damage them.
By following this list, you’ll set yourself up for comfort this winter!
