10 Things You Definitely Want To Check Before It Gets Cold

Now that it’s finally fall, you’ve probably got a million things on your plate. From now until January, it’s going to be non-stop events and family gatherings. So the last thing you really want to worry about is having to stop and take care of your home too. However, taking just a little bit of time this month is going to help save you from bigger problems during the winter. There are definitely a lot of home improvement tasks that you will want to take care of before it gets cold.

BUT the good news is we’ve compiled the tasks that are actually worth your time, so you can plan your schedule accordingly. Here’s what you want to get done before the cold sets in.

10 Things to Check Before It Gets Cold

      OUTDOOR

  1. Gutter Cleaning – Certainly no one’s favorite fall task, but a necessary evil for your home maintenance. Clearing the gutters will help you avoid drainage issues from built up leaves and debris. And certainly a task much easier to accomplish before it gets cold.
  2. Garage Insulation – Garages are typically known as drafty areas of the home. If you’ve noticed your garage has been particularly cold these past few years, it might be time to evaluate your garage insulation options (ie. garage door replacement, unit heater installation, etc.). At the very least, you will want to make sure that your garage door has proper weather stripping and isn’t too drafty around the garage door opening area.
  3. Window Insulation – Great way to keep the warmth inside your home. Most homeowners have a preferred method of window insulation. Window caulking, window insulation sheets and/or weather sealant are all good options. Each one has it’s pros and cons. However, if you have this issue year after year, you may want to consider window replacement option.
  4. Hose and Sprinklers – Probably the most important part of your home winterization. Taking the time to ensure your outside water outlets are closed off will help prevent frozen hose bibs. Time to roll up the hose for storage and turn off those sprinklers!

    INDOOR

  5. Furnace or Boiler Check – You don’t want your heat to quit on you during the first cold night of the season. It’s time for that annual heating system check for your home.
  6. Fire Extinguishers – Make sure your family knows where the fire extinguishers are located, and make sure they are still in working order. Look them over to ensure there are no cracks or broken parts.
  7. Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Both the easiest-to-do and the easiest-to-forget task on this list. Take a quick moment to replace the batteries in your detectors – so they continue to help keep your family safe and aware!
  8. Plumbing Inspection – If you haven’t already had one this year, this is a great time to have your plumbing system looked at. Having a qualified plumber inspect your home will help you identify problems early on.
  9. Fireplace Cleaning (If Applicable) –  Plan on using that fireplace this winter? Fall is a great time to get that fireplace cleaning scheduled. Catching issues now will allow you to handle the repair early on in the season. This will allow you and your family to use it without worry of a potential chimney fire. To learn more about chimney safety, click here.
  10. Attic Insulation (If Applicable) –  Do you have an unfinished attic in your home? Depending on when your home was built, you may want to consider additional insulation solutions (ie. loose fill or batts). Insulating your attic will help you lower your heating bill, since your home will be able to retain more heat.

Need assistance with your fall maintenance? We’re always happy to help! Simply leave a message in our service request box or call 563-391-1344 to schedule an appointment.