Home Maintenance Tips | October 2023
Post Courtesy of Realtor.com
Ah, fall: The nip of the first chill in the air. The colorful foliage. The pumpkin spice lattes. The pumpkin spice everything.
Oh yeah, and the long list of home maintenance tasks awaiting you at the start of the season.
We hate to intrude on your fall bliss, but the postsummer months are a critical time for knocking out routine home maintenance to keep your household running smoothly into winter. Luckily, many of these tasks are easy DIY projects, with options to call in the pros if you prefer.
Check Windows and Doors for Air Leaks
Lower temperatures mean higher thermostat settings, and anyone in a cold climate knows the pain of opening a gas bill in the dead of winter.
To keep cold air out and utility bills in check, make sure to check all of your windows and doors for air leaks.
2. Clean the Chimney
If you have a fireplace, fall is a great time to give it a thorough cleaning and inspection. Maintaining a clean fireplace is the simplest and best way to remove creosote, a byproduct of wood combustion that contains tar and toxins.
3. Schedule a Furnace Tuneup
Don’t wait until the first bitterly cold day to finally turn on your furnace. If you have any issues, you’ll want to know before the mercury drops and you find yourself shivering indoors.
It is best to call in the pros for this task- HVAC pros can inspect and clean the air ducts, check and adjust the pilot light, lubricate the furnace bearings and inspect and tighten fan belts and pulleys.
4. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It’s easy to forget about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (unless a cooking disaster sets off the alarm—we’ve all been there). That’s why as we approach this time of year, it’s important to test these alarms and detectors, as well as replace those that are 10 or more years old.
DIY: This is a quick and easy project most homeowners can handle on their own. Simply press and hold down the “test” button for a few seconds on each of your detectors.
5. Run Ceiling Fans in Reverse
The hot, humid days of summer are officially in the rear-view mirror (in most parts of the country, at least). Reversing the direction of your ceiling fans helps circulate warm air near the ceiling back into your living space. (Heat rises, remember!) This can cut your heating costs by as much as 10%.
DIY: All you need is a ladder or stool for this task—and make sure the fan is off. Then simply flip the switch that is commonly found on the side of the motor to change the fan’s direction.
6. Winterize your Sprinkler System
It’s a good idea to winterize your outdoor irrigation system to prevent damage from freezing water. This process clears leftover water from the pipes in your irrigation system.
7. Disconnect and Empty your Garden Hoses
A frozen hose can cause the water inside the wall to freeze and burst, don’t let this happen to you, homeowner!
DIY: Disconnect your hose and let it drain on an angle. Once the hose is empty, coil it up and pack it away for the season. Make sure to put a cover on the hose bib to prevent freezing in the future months.
8. Clean the Gutters
Throughout the year, your gutters fill up with leaves, sticks, and other debris. Failing to clear this gunk from your gutters can mean rain and melting snow won’t be able to drain easily—potentially causing seepage and eventually causing leaks into your home.
DIY: If you’re comfortable climbing on a ladder to clean your gutters, this is a DIY-friendly task,