Fall in Atlanta is a great time to get some home maintenance done. Okay, truthfully our winters may not be as harsh as in other areas of the country, but still, it’s important to strengthen your home before the winter and do some fall home maintenance. Cold weather and maybe – yikes – snow is really hard on a house. We might want to think our home is an indestructible Super House, but that’s (unfortunately) not true. We’re going to go over several home maintenance tasks so you can prepare your home for winter.
Fall home maintenance tips.
1. Look after your roof.
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against weather – kind of like a super fancy helmet. A helmet with cracks or holes in it isn’t super effective, right? And besides, your roof affects your home insurance rates.
2. Check around your doors and windows.
The weatherstripping around the doors and windows serves as a seal against the weather. The delightful, cozy warm air inside your house can leak out of the home. That makes your heating system work harder. Repairing any spots that need fixing can help you keep your home nice and toasty – and it can make your home more energy-efficient (and thus lower your heating bill.) Take some time to make necessary repairs.
3. Maintain your heating system.
Enlist the services of a trustworthy technician and have them check over your heating system. It’s better to find out about a problem before the temperatures get super cold. Otherwise, you might find yourself with your teeth chattering as you shiver and wait for someone to fix the heat. By getting a maintenance check of your heating, you can make sure that your home will stay nice and warm all winter.
4. Put away garden hoses.
Before you put away any outdoor garden hoses, make sure to drain them of water. Then put them indoors.
5. Clean the gutters and downspouts.
Yep, we know that gutters are gross. Cleaning the gutters is on no one’s “favorite things to do” list. But it’s got to be done. Leaves and debris are problematic because they can block water that needs to escape. That water can cause damage to your home because it builds up and just sits there. Before the rainy, gross weather of Atlanta winter hits, clean out the gutters.
6. Take care of your trees.
If there are any tree branches that are getting too close to the house, you might want to have them trimmed before they crash-land into your house. Though most likely your home insurance covers fallen trees, it’s best to not have to deal with it at all.
7. Get your chimney checked.
Who doesn’t love a warm, crackling fire in the fireplace in the winter? It’s great. But it’s a good idea to get your chimney inspected before you start a fire in the fireplace this winter. You don’t want to have any unexpected chimney problems.
8. Prevent your pipes from freezing.
Pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures can freeze if the weather gets cold enough. You may want to go ahead and take steps to prevent them from freezing when the temperatures drop.
9. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Make sure that you’re regularly checking your smoke detectors. The batteries also need to be changed regularly. It’s important to make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can do their job.
10. Look over the outside of your home.
As part of your fall home maintenance routine, take a minute to walk around your home. Look at the roof, the siding, and foundation. Look at your driveway, your porch and steps, your walkway. Make sure to repair any areas that need to be repaired while the weather is still decent.
The winter can really put a beating on your home. By taking the time to put some TLC into your house and do some fall home maintenance, you can help it stand up better to the cold, rain, and maybe snow. Your house endures a lot. Take time this fall to baby it a little.
And of course, it’s important to protect your home with the right Atlanta home insurance. Our agents can help you get great coverage at a great rate. We’ll help you get the coverage you need to fully protect your home. Get started with your home insurance quotes by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.