End-of-Summer Home Maintenance is Also Winter Home Maintenance
- Paul Denikin
- Oct 17, 2017
- 3 min read
Keeping your home and surrounding property up-to-date and protected from the elements should be seen as an investment. It’s your home now, and chances are it is a pretty costly investment, so keeping it in good condition should be a high priority. But it might also be your kids’ home one day, so thinking of it as not only an investment, but a long-term investment, highlights the importance of staying on top of maintenance. Perhaps no season wreaks more havoc on your home and surrounding property than winter, and fall/winter home maintenance needs to be taken care of at the end of the summer.
Clear the Air
End-of-summer home preparation is just that: preparation. That’s to say, you want to take measures to prevent issues with your house before they become crises. Redfin.com is wise to advise that homeowners install safety devices in their homes. Most people think of a smoke alarm first when it comes to devices aimed at protecting our homes. But carbon monoxide poisoning is called the silent killer, and the importance of a detector for this odorless gas – which Safe Wise explains here – cannot be overstated. Changing out air filters, and keeping plenty of new air filters on hand, is another way to ensure that you aren’t breathing in things that you shouldn’t be.
Travelers Insurance also recommends that homeowners have their chimneys cleaned and inspected, not to mention wood stoves and fireplaces. These can result in the buildup of something called creosote that professionals will be able to inspect for and remove.
Prevent, Prevent, Prevent
End-of-summer home maintenance is all about spotting problems before they truly become problems. Horizon Services is just one of the many resources that advise us on how to keep our plumbing safe from the cold-weather elements. If you don’t properly drain exterior pipes and apply anti-freeze to even the interior ones, frozen pipes could crack and/or burst. This may mean the loss of water into your home, not to mention huge costs that can be fairly easily avoided. Your
Kiplinger points out two aspects of end-of-summer home preparation that seem obvious, but can be overlooked for a number of reasons. These two broad categories are seals – both in windows and doors – and your roof. Applying weather-stripping and/or caulking to windows and doors that are in need is crucial. Cold drafts that seep into the home not only represent health hazards, but potentially sky-high heating costs.
Your roof is also an aspect of your home that can’t be overlooked. It is the greatest barrier between heavy snowfall and yourself, which often includes your family. That’s why the Huffington Post, among other outlets, highlights the importance of inspecting your roof regularly for any loose shingles or signs of damage. Sometimes your eyes aren’t enough, and if you aren’t able or comfortable getting on a ladder and inspecting more closely, hire a professional to do so. It could be the difference between a minor cost and a potentially monumental expense.
Conclusion
Winter is a time when the winds pick up and the snow falls down, often in droves. Our bodies let us know that the elements have picked up, but it is not always as easy to tell the toll that winter conditions take on our home. That’s why we have to be proactive in preventing the often unforeseen effects that winds, cold, and snow are taking on our house and property. Look up as many guides as you can find, and don’t worry about expense now in preventing potential cost, or even crisis, down the line.
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