The yearly, frenzied bout of spring cleaning is long over. The hectic schedule of summer activities and social events is winding down. And, now, it’s about time to kick back and enjoy the crisp fall air, the fireplace, the toasted marshmallows, and the long evenings at home.
Well, not just yet. There still remain some important home maintenance tasks you should complete this fall in [market city].
You really should take care of these maintenance tasks now before winter hits hard. If you wait too long, harsh weather and busy contractors may make it even tougher to get these tasks done. Let’s take a look at several areas in your home that deserve a little attention this fall.
Furnace/Heating System
Even though the weather is still mild, one of the first home maintenance tasks you should complete this fall in Raleigh, Durham and all of North Carolina, is to thoroughly check out your furnace and heating system – for both efficiency and safety reasons. Late August is probably the best time to make sure of your furnace’s optimal functioning.
The very first step is to replace the filter. And then a good second step is to clean ducts where you can (though this may require the services of a professional). Another recommended part of heating-system maintenance is to call in a professional to go over your the system to ensure optimal, as well as safe, performance. It’s better to catch small problems now before they turn into larger costly – and cold – ones later on.
Fireplace and Chimneys
Another important maintenance task is making sure your fireplace and chimney don’t present any safety hazards. You do want to enjoy that crackling fire with some peace of mind, don’t you?
Creosote build-up can present a grave safety hazard that can be the source of a devastating fire. If you’re not sure how to inspect for and then clean creosote build-up, you should probably use the services of an experienced chimney sweep.
Water Lines
While they are technically inside your house, water-supply lines in exterior walls can be susceptible to freezing during cold snaps. Just a little effort now can prevent hugely inconvenient and messy problems in the heart of winter.
So let’s say the water lines for your kitchen sink are under the sink on an exterior wall (which is often the case). There are two things you can do, both of them fairly easy and inexpensive. Simply wrapping these supply lines with insulation designed for this purpose will be a definite freeze-prevention step. Even better would be to wrap those lines, if you have a convenient electrical outlet nearby, with heat tape.
Gutters and Downspouts
Most of us rake up fall’s fallen leaves in the yard, but sometimes we forget about the gutters and downspouts till the heavy rains of the following spring. And over the long haul, that can be a costly oversight.
Clogged gutters and downspouts will cause water to back up and run down behind the gutters and onto the fascia board, leading to rot and eventual replacement. So before the fall rainy season hits, make sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris and draining properly.
Roof
Of all home maintenance tasks, you should complete this fall in Raleigh, Durham and all of North Carolina, checking the roof is the one most often neglected. But it shouldn’t be.
Violent winter winds, heavy snow, and freezing rain can force water into places on your roof (even uphill) where it would normally never get. Fall, then, is the time to check your roof for broken or missing shingles or tiles. If you do detect any problems, it may be a good idea to call in a roofing contractor.
With these 5 home maintenance tasks, you should complete this fall in Raleigh, Durham and all of North Carolina taken care of, you can now – with peace of mind and a sense of security – relax and enjoy. Still, these are just the basic tasks.