As the winter season approaches, it is common to focus on other personal matters and forget about your home. However, homeowners need to prioritize repairs as well as essential upkeep before the winter season begins.
Planning helps you maintain a comfortable home during the cold season with less need for maintenance in the long run. To prepare adequately, you need to know the mistakes made by homeowners in the fall and do your best to avoid them.
So, what are the most common mistakes made by homeowners during the fall season?
Neglecting the Gutters
It is common to find leaves and debris piling up on the roof of your home and filling up the gutters during the fall season. It is essential to clean out the gutters and ensure that nothing is trapped in them to avoid any blockages in the downspouts.
Wait to clean your gutters until after all the leaves have fallen so you only have to do the work once to minimize the chances of leaves or debris blocking the gutters.
Failing to Check the Windows and Doors for Leaks and Damage
Proper assessment of the windows and doors in the home is important before the winter to find out if any are leaking or damaged. Gaps can allow in cold air that can make your living space very uncomfortable and, in some cases, bring higher energy bills.
Make sure the gaps are sealed with fresh caulk or weatherstripping, which works best on clean and dry surfaces.
Failing to Check Carpet Cleaner
Cleaning the carpet before the winter season begins is common in most homes to remove debris and unwanted odors. However, some of the cleaners are quite harsh and can damage the carpet if not tested in advance.
It is advisable to test the cleaner using a corner of the carpet or rug to avoid getting the entire floor covering discolored or spoiled.
Skipping HVAC Preventive Maintenance
HVAC units accumulate a lot of unwanted pollutants that need to be cleaned out regularly. The dust and debris can cause allergens to spread in the air resulting in sickness in the family.
To avoid such a scenario, make sure the filters are cleaned, and any necessary repairs are done by professionals like the Western Hills Heating & Air Conditioning companies that offer such services.
Overlooking Driveway Cracks
Cracks in the driveway may look insignificant during fall, but they are likely to deteriorate under freezing temperatures in winter. It is advisable to seal the cracks during the fall season and do any repairs to ensure there is no further damage to the driveway.
Also, sealants used to patch up the cracks work better in warmer months, assuring you of proper adherence to the concrete.
Overall, planning to do maintenance on your home during the fall season will save you money and protect it during the winter months.
These maintenance tasks can be done as part of a DIY project or by a hired professional, depending on your preference.
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