The change of the seasons is the perfect time to take a good look at the condition of your home and to take care of important maintenance tasks. Now that the temperatures are getting colder and we are creeping slowly toward winter, it is time to get serious about maintenance to make sure that your home is ready for what’s to come.
Here are a few essential home maintenance tasks that you need to take care of now:
Window Caulking
Windows play a big role in your home’s energy efficiency. While having double-pane or vinyl windows can improve your home’s energy efficiency, small changes can also have a big impact. You don’t have to necessarily replace all your windows; you may just need to invest in new window caulking.
Fresh caulking will ensure that any gaps around your window frame or the panes are sealed up tight. Hire a caulking contractor to make sure that the job is done right and that every space is sealed. If you try to do the work yourself, you are likely to overlook some spaces and leave your home vulnerable. You’ll end up spending far more on your heating bills this winter than you should.
Power Washing
Your home can gather a lot of dirt and grime over the summer. Rain storms and heavy winds can lash your home with dirt, mud, plants, and other debris. While most trees are shedding their leaves in the fall, some weeds and plants are still propagating, and they can spread seed and pollen that will attach to your home.
Power washing your home will clean off all that dirt and debris that can eat into the siding and make your home vulnerable to the moisture that will surround it all winter long.
Vent Cleaning
You are about to kick your HVAC system into overdrive heating your home and finding off the bitterly cold temperatures outside. If your vents are dirty, your heating system can push that debris into your home and bring down the interior air quality. In extreme cases, the heat could even light the lint or other debris that is trapped in the vents. Invest in professional vent cleaning to improve the efficiency of your heating system and to improve your home’s air quality.
Concrete Sealing
Salting your driveway and walkways can keep them free of snow and ice during the winter, but the salt can also weaken the concrete. By refreshing the seal on the concrete now, you can protect it throughout the winter. You’ll save yourself some costly repairs come spring or summer.
You only have a few more weeks before winter is upon us. Depending on where you live, it may already feel like winter thanks to the freezing temperatures. Act fast to get this maintenance finished while you still have time. You’ll protect your home and make it more comfortable all season long. You’ll also save yourself some costly repairs later.
