The change of seasons is the perfect time to conduct a seasonal maintenance check to ensure your home is ready to face the changing temperatures. Investing the time in home maintenance projects early in the season will help you avoid more significant, potential issues when the temperatures drop as winter approaches. Read on for the fall maintenance tips that every homeowner needs to know.Â
Deep clean carpets, rugs and upholstery
The fall is an optimal time to clean the carpets, rugs and upholstery during the fall. The weather is still warm enough so you can spend time outside as the surfaces dry, but it’s also not humid, preventing the soft surface from drying. Also, fall is the perfect season to leave the windows open to help the carpet, rugs and upholstery dry.
Inspect the furnace
The furnace should be professionally inspected annually. Fall is the best time to schedule an inspection before the temperatures require you to turn on the heat. Additionally, the wait times may be longer if you wait until too late in the season to schedule an inspection.
Fix the furnace filter
Cleaning or replacing the furnace filter is essential so the dust doesn’t recirculate throughout the home. When a filter is dirty or clogged, the furnace won’t work as well, which means you may mean the house won’t reach the intended temperatures. Servicing the furnace at the beginning of the season and conducting monthly maintenance will help your furnace work optimally and keep you warm during the colder months.
Prep the fireplace
The fireplace should be inspected annually, ideally before the season’s first fire. A chimney sweep will review the entire chimney system and check for damage and blockages and clean out debris and creosote, a flammable substance that results from burning wood.
Assess the humidifier
Cold air combined with indoor heat and fires can result in dry indoor air, which isn’t ideal for your skin. A dirty humidifier also means mold accumulating on the filter will recirculate in your home. Your home’s humidifier will keep you comfortable at home during the colder months. The fall is an ideal time to inspect the humidifier, clean the humidifier pads, and make any necessary repairs.Â
Assess air leaks
Checking your house for leaky windows will significantly reduce your home’s energy consumption. Damage or gaps to the weatherstripping or caulk can cause the hot air to escape, resulting in a colder house and higher heating bills. Weatherstripping is prone to deteriorate, so it should be inspected seasonally.Â
Test smoke and carbon dioxide detectors
As you spend more time inside, the beginning of autumn is ideal for testing the smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and replacing the batteries. Be sure to keep extra batteries easily accessible if they start beeping in the middle of the night.
