5 Must-Dos for Fall Home Maintenance
Oct 05, 2022So Long, Summer! say hello to autumn (and a little fall cleaning)
As summer winds down, the kids go back to school, and the days get a little shorter, it’s officially time to settle in for another crisp fall. To make it the a great season of productivity and winter prep, we’ve pulled together five fall home maintenance most-dos – plus a life-changing way to use your slow cooker!
Must-do #1
Seal out drafts for better comfort
Were your cooling bills outrageous this summer? Chances are, your heating bills will be too. Your home may be suffering from cracks, gaps, or holes that let in unwanted air, causing your HVAC system to work harder all year.
In addition to air infiltration, air is also escaping from those same locations. That means all the conditioned indoor air you spend so much money on is, well, going out the window.
If you’re not sure how to find or treat air leaks in your home, call Improveit for a free home energy assessment. A trained member of our team will identify these weak spots and offer recommendations. Depending on the findings, our team can also help with energy-efficient
replacement windows that will keep out drafts and help lower your utility bills.
Must-do #2
See how your furnace has been holding up
It’s been a while since your heating system was up and running, so it’s time for an annual checkup. An annual furnace service is relatively inexpensive and if there’s a problem, you have time to come up with a solution before the season’s truly cold temperatures set in.
Must-do #3
PUT ROOFS & GUTTERS At the top of your fall home maintenance checklist
Two things you don’t want to fail this fall are your roof and your gutters. Weak and flimsy components won’t hold the weight of snow and ice in the coming winter, and clogged gutters can be a real problem. Take time now to have them checked so you don’t have to find out the hard way that they weren’t up for the task.
Ignoring gutter debris build-up can cause foundation problems, by letting water run down the sides of your house and pool at the foundation instead of directing it away from the house. Dry gutter debris can ignite from stray fire pit or chimney ashes this time of year, creating a dangerous fire hazard. And when snow and freezing temps arrive, clogged gutters can create ice dams that damage both the gutters and the roof.
Must-do #4
Inspect your chimney: a fall cleaning necessity
We don’t recommend you conduct a chimney inspection yourself. This is work for trained and insured professionals who will come out and inspect the inside and outside, as well as clean it out. Call a pro sooner rather than later (while the weather is still on our side). Using your fireplace without the security of a clean chimney is another fall fire hazard you want to avoid.
Must-do #5
when your fall cleaning is done, Treat yourself to some extra light
This may not sound like a “must do” for fall home maintenance, but you’d be surprised how a little light can go a long way. With shorter days, and the sun coming in at a lower angle during fall and winter, consider adding more lamps to the most-used spaces in your home. Less daylight this time of year can actually affect your mental health, and the right lighting can improve your mood.
Really want to treat yourself? Buy a new throw or cozy pair of socks and curl up with a good book!
your fall home maintenance reward:
Homemade Applesauce!
With your fall home maintenance checklist complete, you’ve earned a reward! Break out your slow cooker for a seasonal treat: Apple-Cinnamon Potpourri that becomes a tasty applesauce!
Ingredients:
- 8 Apples peeled, cored & roughly chopped
- 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
- 4 Cups of water
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons of sugar
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients into a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours or until apples are softened.
- Enjoy all the cozy fall scents while the apples and cinnamon simmer!
- After softened, mash the apples with a fork, potato masher or immersion blender to your desired consistancy.
- Serve and enjoy!
