Being a homeowner is a blessing, but it comes with its own set of perils, and seasonal home maintenance is one of them. Procrastinating or neglecting home maintenance for winters can invite inconveniences you don’t want to deal with.
Timely preparing your home for the winter will not only give you peace of mind but can also help you enjoy savings. Winter is coming, make sure you tackle the following tasks in the fall.
1. Service Your HVAC Unit
You should get your HVAC system serviced at least twice a year, once in spring and then in Autumn. Make sure your HVAC unit is ready to provide necessary heating during the winter. It would be best to hire a professional to ensure your heating system is ready.
2. It’s Time For Pipe Lagging
When the temperature starts dipping, your water pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting. Getting a burst piper repaired in the middle of the winter can cost you a lot of time and money. Instead of waiting for disaster to strike, consider lagging pipes. This special type of insulation around the pipes prevents them from freezing and is also useful for saving energy.
3. Consider New Energy Plan
With shorter days and increased heating requirements, your energy consumption is bound to rise. And since the demand for energy increases during winters, providers tend to spike up the rate. Fall is a suitable time to switch to a better energy plan for your home. Explore Origin Energy plans for competitively-priced residential plans.
4. Check Your Fireplace
If you have a fireplace or you have Reclaimed Fireplaces, you should get it cleaned by a chimney sweep. It’s also a good idea to check the fireplace for any debris or bird’s nest and get them removed sooner than later.
5. Upgrade Insulation
Adequate insulation is essential to prevent your heating unit from overworking to keep the house warm. Check the insulation in your attic, basements, garages, and other areas to minimize heat loss during the winter. It’s also a good idea to weatherproof your doors and windows.
6. Inspect Your Roof
Homeowners get everything in place but often forget about the roof. Before winter’s arrival, inspect your roof to make sure it is intact to deal with upcoming harsh weather conditions. If any shingles are missing, replace them as soon as possible to prevent water damage.
7. Trim Surrounding Trees
Snowstorms can break off heavy tree branches that can damage your house and cars. It’s wise to trim any trees that are dangerously close to your property.
8. Pack Up Patio Furniture
It’s time to start packing patio chairs, tables, grills, and other outdoor furniture. You can either cover them with a heavy-duty tarp or store them in the garage. You should also bring in any planters that can be damaged by snow.
9. Get Gutters Cleaned
Frozen debris, twigs, and leaves can clog up your gutters. That’s why it’s imperative to clean out your guttering system before winter thoroughly.
10. Install a Generator
Does your neighbourhood have frequent power outages during the winter? In that case, you should definitely consider installing a generator. If you already have one, make sure it’s working properly.
11. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Remember to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
12. Prepare Snow Blowers & Shovels
Rather scurrying around for a shovel to clear out unexpected snowfall, take out shovels and snow blowers beforehand. For snow blowers, change the oil and test it to ensure it’s fully functional.
Final Words
No one wants to spend cozy Spring days cleaning the gutters or inspecting the insulation. But it’s always better to be prepared than face issues in the dead of winter.
