Fall has arrived, and that means it’s time for you to take steps to prepare your property for the cold months ahead. Seasonal preventative maintenance is vital, and will help prevent larger issues down the road.
Following this brief Fall Home Maintenance Checklist will guide you through the process of getting your property ready for winter.
Clean Those Gutters
Did you know that an old plastic spatula can be used as a tool for cleaning debris from gutters? It doesn’t scratch, and you can cut the length and width to fit your gutter dimensions. Cleaning debris out of your gutters prevents water from collecting and freezing in cold weather.
Bleed Hot Water Radiators
When air gets trapped in a hot water radiator it can clog, causing some of the fins to stay cold. Bleeding the radiator is pretty simple – take a radiator key, 1/4-in. 12-point socket, or a flat screwdriver and turn the valve counter-clockwise until water starts dripping out.
Check Ground-Level Window Wells
Ground-level / basement windows can become susceptible to leaking or breaking if debris or water starts to accumulate in or around the window well. Leaves and debris can prevent drainage, and cause the water level to rise higher and higher until the pressure breaks the window.
Prep Your Lawn
Keep that lawn looking good! Take time to aerate your lawn, lay down fertilizer, and cut the grass short. Try to apply the fertilizer roughly three weeks before the last mowing of the season. Fertilizing in the fall provides needed nutrients for the grass roots as they multiply in cooler weather before the grass goes dormant.
Change Out That Furnace Filter
Changing out your furnace filter will give you better, more efficient heating over the course of the winter. If your filter gets clogged, the lack of airflow can result in the furnace overheating and shutting down.
24 Restore is the preferred restoration services partner of commercial & residential property owners across New England. Whether you’re dealing with an emergency situation, or just simply need help implementing a sound Disaster Response Plan, we’re available to help. Contact 24 anytime, day or night for assistance.