Fall is almost here, which means chilly weather and beautiful colors! However, this time can also be dangerous, bringing in an increase of wind and severe thunderstorms. It is important to prepare the inside and outside of your home now, and ensure it is safe against all the season may bring. Here are 4 home maintenance tasks you should start thinking about:
Seal cracks and gaps
Gaps in caulking and weather stripping pose many problems to your home. Getting your windows and doors recalked will help save energy, money, keep pests out of the home, and help your home maintain the desired temperature. Not to mention, it will save you money! Sealing up a drafty home can save up to 20% of your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If your home has weather stripping, it is important to check that they are still working effectively, as they may deteriorate over time, also bringing drafts into your home.
Clean out gutters
Gutters are very important to protecting your home and preventing damage! They protect your roof from water damage, flooding in your basement, damage to your home’s foundation, and much more. Once your gutter fills with dead leaves, it becomes an even bigger task to clean them out.
Protect water pipes from freezing
Make sure all pipes have proper insulation to keep from freezing as it gets colder. Pipes in the basement, attic, and garage are most susceptible to freezing. To take care of outdoor faucets, let the water drain, and then turn off the faucet at the shutoff valve. By letting them drain first, you can prevent cracking in the pipes.
Refresh indoor lighting
Fall also brings shorter days and less sunlight. This means that you will have indoor lighting on much more, rather than natural lighting. Warm lighting makes the home feel cozier. This can be implemented to the home with tabletop or standing lamps. It is important to make sure this lighting can effectively light up the home, so you may also want to upgrade overhead lighting. This can be a daunting task, so you may want to hire a handyman to help.
If you do want help from a professional handyman, give Ace Handyman Services a try!
Our handyman are multi-skilled and able to complete all of your fall maintenance to-do tasks. Give us a call at 410-549-9696 or schedule an appointment today.