Fall Checklist To Prepare Your Home For Winter

Summer is over, and the fall is upon us. It is time to handle a few household chores before the weather changes. Since cold, snow and shorter days are common during the winter, fall is the best time to handle these tasks.

Many tasks need to be addressed before the winter arrives. If you live in an area where the winters are cold, you should have your heating system checked during the fall. To keep your trees from causing damage during heavy snowstorms, have them pruned. Below is a fall maintenance checklist that will ensure that you are ready for the winter.

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Fall Maintenance Checklist By A Furnace Tune-Up Company

In this article, you will learn a few simple and essential tasks that you should do before winter arrives. When you check each item off of this list, you will have peace of mind that you will be fully prepared when the temperature drops.

Why You Should Clean The Gutters & Downspouts Before Winter

During the fall, the leaves will fall off your trees. In many cases, they will end up in your gutters and downspouts. If you don’t remove the leaves, twigs, and gunk from these areas, the gutters can get clogged. If it rains, the water will pool. When the temperature drops, this pooled water can cause ice dams which can be damaging to the roof.

While cleaning the gutters, you should check their condition. First, make sure that the gutters don’t sag. Also, make sure that the hangers that hold the gutters and the brackets that hold the downspouts are tight. Doing so will ensure that they are functioning to protect the foundation of your home from water buildup.

Check Your Home’s Exterior For Any Damages

Before winter, you should do a thorough inspection of the house.

While walking around, you should look for damages to the foundation, siding, and the roof. Look for any warning signs such as rust spots on the flashings and cracked, missing, or buckling shingles. If any shingles are missing on the roof, you should replace them. If you discover any damage during your inspection, you should schedule a repair before the weather gets cold.

Remove Air Drafts: Seal The Gaps & Cracks

While inspecting your house, you should check for gaps and cracks in the window frames, the door frames, and where pipes and wires enter the home.
If there are cracks and gaps in the windows, they can cause cold air to leak in the home. When cold air comes in, it can cause your heater to work overtime, resulting in higher energy bills. Also, moisture can seep in through these gaps. The condensation can cause moisture issues in the home which can result in mold growth.
Also, during the winter, mice and other pests will be looking for a warm place to stay while it is cold. If they get into your home, they will get into your food and cause damage to your property. When you seal up the gaps and cracks, you won’t need to worry about pests making your home theirs for the winter.
You can use caulking to seal up the cracks and holes in the house. If the gaps are too large for caulking to help, you can use heavy-duty hardware cloth. This type of cloth will keep the cold, moisture, and pests out.

Outdoor Plumbing: Exterior Faucets

Before winter, you should turn off the shutoff valves to your outdoor water supply.

Doing so will keep the pipes from freezing when the temperatures drop. You should also remove your garden hoses from the spigots. If you leave it attached, the water can run up the hose to the tap, resulting in frozen pipes. This task is something that should be done during the fall. If you wait too long and there is a sudden cold spell, it can result in costly damages to the home.

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Stock Up On Winter Supplies & Winter Safety Gear

If you live in a cold climate, you should stock up on your winter supplies during the fall. To get ready for the cold weather, you should check the condition of your ice scrapers and shovels. If they are damaged, be sure to replace them. You should also buy a bag of ice melt and make sure that your winter emergency kits contain everything that they need. Finally, if you have a snow blower, you can purchase gas, change the oil, and have it tuned up.

Fireplace Safety: Perform A Chimney Inspection

If you have a fireplace, you need to make sure that it is safe to use during the winter.

First, use a flashlight to look inside the flue. Next, make sure that the damper opens and closes correctly. When you open the damper, check for debris or blockages such as leaves or birds’ nests. If you don’t have a chimney cap, you should get one. It will keep critters from climbing down the chimney. Finally, always use a chimney balloon to keep the cold air from getting inside.

Heating System Tune-Up: Boost Energy Efficiency & Performance

The last item on the list and one of the most important is to schedule a cleaning and maintenance appointment for your furnace. A heating professional will make sure that your heating system is in proper running order. They will make sure that your system is running as efficiently as possible andhttps://www.skylandsenergy.com/about-us/service-area/#furnace_tune_up it will prevent your heating system from breaking down.

The tech will use a furnace tune-up checklist to ensure that everything has been completed and that your heating system will be working properly. This list will include cleaning the heat exchanger and the burner. They will make sure that any dust and grime that has built up will be removed. They will also lubricate the system so that the mechanical parts are running properly. Finally, the tech will check for small issues that could become major problems if they aren’t repaired. Overall, the tech will make sure that your heater is running properly and efficiently. It is also important to note that many HVAC companies offer furnace tune-up specials during the fall which helps reduce your furnace tune-up cost. It is a small investment that comes with many benefits.

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Conclusion

If you are doing a Google search for “furnace tune-up near me,” don’t bother. Simply call Skylands Energy.

We provide heating system installations, repairs, and maintenance. Each of our techs is NATE certified, and they are highly skilled and trained to service your HVAC system properly.

We guarantee that they are all professional, friendly, and highly skilled. Best of all, our services are affordable.

To schedule an appointment to have your heating system maintained, give us a call today.

Schedule An Appointment: (908) 707-1776