Many people are accustomed to spring cleaning but might forget that fall is the perfect time to get some home maintenance tasks completed. If you are looking to get your home in great shape before the holiday season, here is a checklist of five tasks to get you started!
Task One: Clean Out Gutters
Your gutters are an essential part of preventing water damage to your home, and overhanging trees can cause the gutters to fill up with leaves during the fall. Clear out the gutters to make sure they are draining properly. This will prevent siding rot and basement leaks and keep insects away! Gutter cleaning is considered a DIY task, but it can be tiring and time consuming. Hiring someone to do the job may be worth the investment, especially for a larger home.
Task Two: Get Your Fireplace Inspected
If you plan to stay warm by the fire over the winter months, it’s important your fireplace and chimney are in good working order. Your chimney has to keep out snow and other objects out of your home while preventing hot embers from damaging your roof. Check out this article for tips on what to look for when inspecting your fireplace.
Task Three: Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Winter months are likely to bring more stress to your roof than any other time of year. If water leaks into your home, it can cause rot, mold, mildew, and many other expensive or permanent damage. Have a professional company like Hedrick Construction inspect your roof for loose or missing shingles, leakage, and other hidden problems. The sooner issues are addressed, the less you'll have to spend down the road on repairs. If there is extensive damage, you can also get a free estimate for replacing your roof before winter.
Task Four: Check Attic Insulation
Good insulation reduces your energy costs and more efficiently keeps your home at a comfortable temperature. While many areas of your home are insulated, insulation plays a paritcularly big role in your attic, where heat that rises up from below needs to be contained within the home. In a previous article, we discussed how to determine whether you need to add more insulation in your attic as well as signs that it needs to be replaced. Using those simple tips can also help you decide what type of insulation to purchase. If you need help with your insulation, find a reputable company tht provides insulation services.
Task Five: Weather Strip Doors and Windows
Weather strip your home’s access points to conserve energy and keep it comfortable during the cooler months of the year. A variety of products are available for weather stripping; just remember to properly clean surfaces well before applying any adhesives to keep them in place. Also, measure lengths in advance to minimize waste.
While you're sealing windows, it's a good idea to also inspect for any broken or loose parts that may be allowing outside air into the house. If you find you need window repair, contact a professional contractor.
Completing this checklist will help keep your home running smoothly and efficiently throughout the holiday season, so you can spend your time and money on better things.
Home Maintenance and Roofing for Ankeny, Ames, Des Moines & Huxley Homeowners
If you need roof inspection or replacement, we can help with that as well as many other home services. Whether you need an inspection, a simple repair, or a new roof, contact us today for a free estimate and the best roofing services in town! We serve Des Moines, Ames, and areas in between.
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