Your Fall Home Care Checklist

Fall is the perfect season for home maintenance. Cooler temperatures make it easier to get outdoors and handle DIY tasks, and there’s still plenty of time left to schedule professional services before the winter rush. The trickiest part is figuring out what needs to be done and whether or not you can do it yourself.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few key projects to tackle this season:

1. Prep your lawn for winter.

Use a leaf blower, rake, mower or landscaping service to clear your yard of fallen leaves and debris. As leaves get wet and heavy, they can crush and suffocate the grass underneath. The trapped moisture can also cause mold, fungal growth and pest infestations.

2. Clean gutters and downspouts.

Gutters remove water from your roof and safely distribute it away from your home’s foundation. But if gutters are clogged, that water can back up and cause costly damage to your roof, walls and foundation. Use a ladder to reach gutters and remove clogs by hand. Once clear, wash out gutters with a hose to make sure downspouts are draining properly.

3. Replace your furnace filter.

Filters protect your furnace by removing dust and other airborne particles from circulation. But as that debris clogs the filter, airflow becomes restricted. Your furnace is forced to work harder, increasing energy costs and the odds of breakdown. Luckily, changing the filter is as easy as slipping out the old and replacing it with the new.

4. Book a professional HVAC checkup.

During a service call, your technician will thoroughly inspect, clean and test furnace components to ensure safe, efficient operation. Tasks include calibrating the thermostat, cleaning the burner ignition and testing the high limit switch to prevent overheating. Carbon monoxide levels will also be tested.

If your fall checklist involves bigger upgrades or home improvements, let’s discuss your financing opportunities together. Get in touch today.