Modern homes can make us feel content, but just like our animal friends, we need to make our own preparations to ensure our homes keep us safe and cozy until spring. Tackling a few basic maintenance chores now will help you ride out the cold months stress-free and prevent more expensive repairs later.
You’ll be able to DIY most of the items on this fall to-do list, but for some tasks, it’s a good idea to call in a professional. Luckily, home warranties like those provided by American Home Shield® not only include maintenance service add-ons, they also help with repair expenses if a major part of a home system or appliance has an unexpected breakdown due to normal wear or tear. Make your preparations now so you can enjoy a peaceful holiday season, stress-free.
Check Your Roof, Clean Your Gutters
As fall’s vibrant colors fade, leaves inevitably come down, often clogging your gutters. Clearing them out is essential to prevent ice dams, which can cause significant damage when water backs up and seeps into your home. While you’re up there, inspect your roof for any loose shingles or signs of damage that could lead to leaks. Addressing these issues before winter weather sets in can save you on costly repairs.
Protect Your Pipes
Frozen pipes are a major headache, leading to expensive damage that can be easily prevented with some basic maintenance. Start with the easiest task: drain and disconnect all outdoor faucets before freezing weather sets in. As you wrap up your garden tasks, close any shut-off valves serving outdoor faucets, open the faucet to drain the line, and disconnect and drain your hoses. Outdoor faucets are the most susceptible to freezing, so it’s lucky they’re easy to safeguard! For indoor pipes, focus on those in unheated areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Use foam pipe insulation or heat tape to wrap exposed pipes, and seal any gaps or cracks in walls to keep cold air out.
Winterize Your Dryer
Before using your dryer more frequently in winter, keep your home safe by checking and cleaning your dryer vent. Lint buildup in dryer vents is a common cause of house fires, and restricted airflow can make your dryer less efficient, leading to higher energy bills.
Tune up your furnace
The worst time to discover a problem in your heating system is in the middle of winter. The best time to perform basic maintenance to prevent problems is now. Start with an easy DIY chore: change your furnace filter. Clogged filters make it harder for your furnace to work efficiently and can increase your energy costs. Ideally, filters should be checked once a month, but if you’re overdue, do it now! Next, it’s important to schedule an HVAC tune-up with a professional to ensure your heating system is working properly ahead of the cooler temperatures.
Seal it Up!
The best way to increase the efficiency of your heating system is to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Caulking and weatherstripping are simple and inexpensive tasks that make a huge difference. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing drafts can save up to 20% on energy bills. Focus on doors and windows where most heat is lost, but also check for leaks around chimneys, baseboards, and areas where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring enters your home.
Protect Your Home with an AHS® Home Warranty
Reviewing your home warranty at least once a year or signing up for coverage if you don’t already have one is a smart move, and fall is the perfect time to do it. American Home Shield has been a trusted leader in the home warranty industry for more than 50 years, offering plans that match the needs of homeowners so you can customize your protection to ensure peace of mind for your household. A home warranty from a trusted provider like AHS is a key part of preparing your home for winter, helping you manage unexpected covered repairs and maintain the comfort of your home.
