Every season brings unique challenges insofar as home maintenance is concerned. As the weather gets cooler in fall, it should remind you to start preparing your home for winter. Doing so will go a long way in ensuring that your home has what it takes to withstand the winter’s harsh weather conditions and keep your family warm during the coldest months.
If you want to sell your home, fall and winter are not the best seasons to do so since prices are generally expected to be dropping. However, by doing the necessary fall home maintenance, you can still sell your home at a good price even in winter. Below is a rundown of some tips that you can count on to get your home ready for winter.
Improve Insulation
By improving the insulation in the attics and the walls of your house, you can prevent cold air from getting into the house. This is because if cold drafts get into your house, they may force your furnace to overwork as it heats your house, meaning that your energy bills could go up. Therefore, by improving the insulation of your home, you can make significant savings.
Schedule Furnace Maintenance
As the cold season approaches, your HVAC system is going to get busier every day. It is, therefore, imperative for you to schedule a furnace check and maintenance and ensure that any suspicious issues are fixed during falls. This will go a long way in ensuring that the heating system does not fail when you need it most.
Check the Roof
The roof is another critical area on which to focus before the cold weather strikes. You can check for any loose shingles and do the necessary repairs before the winter arrives. While you are still on the roof, you should also check the gutters to ensure that they are clean. Remove any nests and leaves for optimum drainage.
Check for Cracks
As the cold season approaches, it is imperative for you to check for cracks in the foundation of your house and seal them in order to prevent cold drafts from getting in. Cracks in the foundation and near the windows can also allow unwanted critters like mice to get into your house.
Trim the Trees
If there are any decaying limbs or dead branches on the trees in your home, you should understand that they are a safety hazard, particularly as the winter approaches, since they will be forced to bear the weight of ice and snow. If they are not removed on time, they can fall on your house, your car, or even people. Therefore, trimming the trees in your yard is a necessary fall home maintenance procedure for homeowners in Greater Portland, Maine.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that fall is an excellent time for homeowners to prepare their homes for winter. There are several things that homeowners need to do to get this done. These are also excellent home maintenance tips for home sellers looking to fetch a good price for their properties.
