Although it’s always a good time to keep up your home maintenance, fall has become a popular time to make a special effort. Here are seven tips to keeping your home in top shape:
Tip #1: Fall is an optimal time to check your gutters and downspouts to be sure they are clear of all debris. Gutters can get cluttered with leaves, debris from overhanging tree branches, dirt, pine needles, etc.
Tip #2: It is a good idea to check yearly for issues with walkways, entries, and driveways. Catching items early such as loose paver material and fixing cracks is best done as soon as they are noticed, before they have time to become major problems.
Tip #3: It’s good to set aside one time during the year when you can check regular maintenance items such as air conditioning / heating filters, check window air conditioning units for protection from the elements for the upcoming winter months, and change dryer filters.
Tip #4: Check out your windows and doors for air leaks. Heating energy as well as air conditioning can be lost through leaks in windows and doors. Fixing air leaks on a regular basis helps protect your home from energy loss.
Tip #5: Since fall signals the time when most fireplaces are put into action, this is a great time to have a chimney sweep inspect and clean your fireplace.
Tip #6: Fall is an excellent time to make a small change that can reap large rewards – changing the rotation direction of your ceiling fans. During the warm months, you want your ceiling fans to have a downward direction of air flow to create movement of air that is cooling. However, during the cooler months, you want an upward direction of air flow that redistributes the warm air trapped near the ceiling down to the lower areas of the house.
Tip #7: Smoke and carbon dioxide batteries should be replaced every year. Therefore, this is a good time to do that.
Source: Florida Lifestyle Homes (September 29, 2012)