Too often we think of winterizing the home beginning in fall, when the temperature has already begun to turn. Many of the items on the typical “fall cleanup” or “fall home maintenance” checklists don’t need to wait until the air turns crisp and leaves start to fly. At Cobblestone Homes, we know what the winters bring in the NWA region – and it’s not always pretty! While your new construction home already has energy-efficient components installed throughout the build, a few things are on the homeowner’s “honey-do” list as part of regular maintenance of your home.
Getting Ready for Fall Maintenance: The Pre-Game
One of the most commonly referred to tasks on the fall-maintenance checklist is cleaning out the gutters and making sure everything looks great up there before winter comes. However, many fail to realize that it’s not just autumn leaves that can block the flow of your gutter system. Seeds, leaves, twigs and other natural debris can and will end up in your gutters during the summer, as well.
It’s never a bad idea to check out your gutter system prior to the leaves turning to see what’s going on. If there is an obstruction in your gutter system, the first autumn leaves will exacerbate the situation and may cause a headache a month or two down the road. Of course, the gutters need to be cleaned as the leaves come down, as well, but giving your system a head-start and ensuring it’s in tip-top condition help prevent breakage, overflows or potential home damage.
Preparing Your Heating System for Cooler Nights
While it’s not even Labor Day yet, crisp, cool nights are on the horizon. Pumpkin-flavored everything is already hitting the market. Why wait until that first chilly night to make sure your furnace system is ready to go? Check the filters and change them if needed (this should be a regular occurrence as is, but sometimes we all need a reminder).
Having a professional come out and take a look at your system now gives you time to fix any potential issues your HVAC system may be experiencing. We put the air ducts in the floor in some Cobblestone Homes, which allows them to function without fighting extreme temperatures in an attic space. This installation helps reduce the wear-and-tear as your system isn’t working as hard, but your HVAC system still needs regular maintenance and check-ups.
What about your fireplace? The end of summer is an ideal time to check out the flue and make sure it’s clean for cozy fires on chilly nights. It’s also a good time to have your gas logs checked for proper function. Your local gas company will be happy to check your logs but you might need to call early because winter weather will be here before you know it.
Aesthetic Maintenance
While right now is still a little warm to do some of the outside maintenance you may have on your list, it’s the perfect time to do certain tasks – like power-washing or staining the deck, repairing porch lights or other tasks you have on your to-do list.
Conclusion
While home ownership comes with a lifetime of things to do and keep up on, you don’t have to wait for the weather to turn to start on your winterizing checklist. Get a head start on your autumn now so you can enjoy your fall nights with those you love.
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