Fall has arrived, with winter just around the corner, just like the squirrels, property owners need to prepare for the chilly months ahead. For this reason, Vanity Roofing in Ottawa has a fall maintenance tip checklist here. So you can check the interior and exterior of your home to ensure everything is in tip-top condition.
Fall and Winter Maintenance Checklist
Now is the time to ensure that all hoses from the interior to the exterior are drained from water. Then, remove the hoses to store them in a secure place until warmer weather arrives. There is more!
The Exterior of Home:
- Turn off all water faucets inside and out to protect pipes as temperatures drop. Or you may end up with freezing pipes bursting, resulting in significant problems.
- Store all outdoor equipment from the BBQ to patio furniture away to protect them from the cold to keep them lasting for years.
- Give that lawnmower an excellent clean, as you will not need it for a while, and clean all your other garden equipment to pack them away. Ensure your snowblower is topped with gas for the first significant snowfall.
- Do a roof inspection, cleaning gutters from debris and removing branches too close to the roof.
- Then do your last cleanup around the home to remove debris to leaves to keep those small critters away from the house, preventing them from getting inside out of the cold.
- Lastly, take a walk around the building to find gaps leading to the inside and seal it up with caulk.
- Then move to the inside of your kitchen to check around the fan and the laundry room vents and seal them up with caulk.
The Interior of Home:
- Now, it helps to walk around the home’s exterior to look for signs of damage to the foundation, siding, and roof. If you notice any damage, now is the time to have it repaired. You can do this yourself or call in a roofing contractor to help.
- Check the exterior paint and ask yourself if it will last or needs a touch-up. Here you can check for paint flaking or cracking around doors and windows.
- Also, check your windows, doors, and frames weatherstripping to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping to make it more energy efficient.
- If you have a window air conditioner installed, it is time to remove it or ensure it is insulated well. For an AC that works through the furnace, do a last check to ensure it will be ready for spring.
- Check the dryer vents and ducts to see if they work correctly, which will help reduce fire risks.
- Give your fireplace a safety check to ensure it is clean and has no soot and ash buildup.
- Most importantly, change the smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries for your family’s safety. Also, check the expiry dates on the fire extinguishers for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Final Thoughts
These are a few fall maintenance checklist tips you can do before winter finally arrives. So, get out into the fresh air to enjoy the fall colors while ensuring that your property is ready and safe for the freezing temperatures. Then, with some preparation, you can sit back and relax, enjoying the warmth inside your home.