Home Maintenance Tips!
Get your home Winter ready
As winter arrives, as a homeowner, you’re going to want to make sure that your home is prepared to withstand the colder temperatures, increased precipitation, and high winds. It is important to take the time in the fall to make sure your home is ready for winter. Here are our 6 top home maintenance tips to focus on this season:
GET YOUR HEATING SYSTEM SERVICED
Whatever type of system you have, don’t wait until it breaks down to call for service. A clean, well-adjusted heating system will save you money on fuel and prolong furnace life. Annual servicing is cheap, typically less than $100.00, especially when compared with the price of a new furnace. The beginning of winter is also a great time to change your air filters and look into getting your air ducts cleaned.
CHECK YOUR FIREPLACE
If you have a wood burning fireplace, it is important to give your chimney a good look over before you use it for the season. Dirty chimneys can emit creosote, a dangerous residue that can cause fires. Creosote is black or brown in appearance and can be crusty and flaky. The residue is highly combustible and can cause chimney fires that will damage structures, destroy homes, and even injure or kill people. For the safety of your family and home, it is important to hire a chimney sweeper to inspect and clean it before each season.
CLEAN OUT YOUR GUTTERS
Clogged rain gutters can cause serious damage to your homes leading to expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove any debris that has found their way into your gutters. If gutters become clogged, ice dams can form in the winter, and all of that added weight can cause sagging gutters, and water damage. After you clean your gutters, consider installing a gutter guard system. Look for a micro mesh filter, like Leaf Filter, so there will be no holes, gaps, or openings to allow any debris into your gutters. Gutter guards are helpful because they eliminate gutter cleaning and any potential problems that are associated with clotted gutters.
CHECK YOUR ROOF
Before the first freeze, rain and winter wind, you are going to want to make sure that your roof is in the best working order. When using a ladder, remember to use the “rule of threes” and have contact with both feet and at least one hand. If you are weary of ladders, use binoculars to inspect your roof from the ground. Scope out buckled, cracked, or missing shingles, rust spots, and flashing. If you see any problems, be sure to contact a roofer to repair and replace any areas of concern. This will keep your home safe from any type of water issues that could occur otherwise.
SEAL GAPS
Take a close look at the exterior of your home and inspect for any gaps or openings. Then, use caulk and weather stripping to seal any places of concern. Think about places that cold air might enter the home: door frames, windows, and cable openings. You may think that your home is exempt from this step just because it is new, however, newer homers need caulking too. Taking the time to complete this task will help lower your energy bill during the cold winter months.
CHECK BATTERIES
The change in seasons is always a good reminder to test all smoke and carbon detectors to keep your home and family safe. Even if you think your batteries are still good, it is a good idea to just change them anyways, there is nothing worse than waking up to an annoying detector. It’s also good to remember that a detector only lasts about 7 years, so consider replacing yours if you think they are past their expiration date.
If you are interested in purchasing a new home start your search at www.findinghomesinhenderson.com or give us a call at 702-845-5348. These great home maintenance tips were brought to you by Jackie Bennett with Castle and Cooke Mortgage. Visit her site at: Jbennett.castlecookemortgage.com to start your pre-approval process today.
Best Regards,
The Sales Team
702-845-5348
