With color in the leaves, a crisp chill in the air, and Halloween costumes on store shelves, fall has officially arrived! All too soon, winter will be upon us. But before those first flurries, carve out some time for fall home maintenance. Here are the tasks we recommend that you get squared away before snow hits the ground:
Check Your Heating System: Your home’s heater system is about to be put to the test with a Minnesota winter! Have an HVAC specialist inspect your furnace to be sure the system is clean, in good repair, and that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency.
Inspect Your Roof: Like your heating system, your roof will need to stand up to some winter wear as well. Inspect your roof for loose or missing shingles that may leak or sustain more damage during a winter storm. If you have a fireplace, now is a great time to check your fireplace damper for soot buildup, and have a certified chimney sweep clean the flues of your chimney.
Walk Your Home’s Exterior: Walk your home’s exterior and look for any damaged siding, stucco, or bricks. Check the caulking on your windows and doors and repair if necessary. Drain and turn off your home’s exterior faucets.
Clean Your Gutters: Clogged gutters are often the culprits of ice dams. With this in mind, wait until the leaves have fallen, and then clean gutters and downspouts. Replace or repair any broken or damaged units and cover your gutters with leaf shields.
Safety First: Test your smoke and fire alarms, replacing batteries and cleaning dust from the covers. Also check and replace fire extinguishers.
Patio Perfection: Clean and cover all of your patio furniture, packing any cushions or pillows into your shed or other storage container. Once your space is cleared, pressure wash your patio or deck.
