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Fall Checklist this year - Important Info - C. Woods Company

This Year’s Fall Checklist- Important Info

fall checklistThe signs are there in Tyler, TX. The temperature is falling and the days are getting shorter. It’s fall, which means that winter isn’t too far behind. As a homeowner, you should take note of the change in seasons, because fall is “the” season for DIY home maintenance.

A few hours spent this fall will protect your home all winter long. Here are some handy tips to help you build your fall checklist as you crank up the heating system at home.

Outdoor Maintenance

family removing dead leaves outdoorClean out your gutters from debris and visually inspect your roof for loose tiles. A winter wind could lift those right off. Remove dead leaves from your lawn and add fall fertilizer treatment if you use it.

Wrap vulnerable plants and bushes to protect them from the winter weather. Empty the gas from your lawn mower and store it. Clean off your patio furniture and put it away for the season.

Look around your home for cracks in the concrete and seal them up. Those tight spaces give rodents just enough warmth in the winter to be attractive nesting areas. Change your outdoor light fixtures.

Indoor Maintenance

indoor maintenanceDrain your water heater. This removes sediment, which can cause your tank to rust and age prematurely. Inspect plumbing throughout your home for leaks. Don’t forget to look in cabinets under sinks and around plumbing fixtures.

Some telltale signs of a leak are mold growth, a musty odor or pooling water. Check your chimney. If you’ve got an accumulation of soot, call for a chimney cleaning.

Double check that the damper closes tightly. Ignite the pilot light for your gas fireplace. Test your smoke and CO2 detectors. Make sure that you’ve got a fire extinguisher on each floor (double check expiry dates).

Make sure that windows are airtight. Replace any cracked panes. Re-caulk any loose seals. Consider placing a film over windows to create a barrier keeping warm air inside. If you don’t have one, you might want to consider installing a programmable thermostat before you turn the heat on. This is a great tool to benefit from energy efficiency.

Get Your Furnace Tuned Up

furnace tuned upIf you haven’t been doing this job every year, make this a new habit. Once you see the benefits, you’ll be sure to repeat every season. Scheduling a tune-up will help to make your furnace more energy efficient so that you can count on lower energy bills.

Regular maintenance also helps to extend your furnace’s lifespan. Additionally, having your filter changed during a tune-up will help improve your home’s indoor air quality.