Preparing Your Home for Every Season
As a homeowner, each season brings unique tasks which keep your home in good shape and make a world of difference. They can save you costly service fees and repair costs, and they can make your home more energy efficient. Here’s a look at the season-by-season tasks you should add to your checklist every year.
Winter
When the cold weather comes rolling in, it’s time to prep your house. Check out these specific things to get the most out of your energy bills:
● Tune up your heating system with a certified technician.
● Caulk windows and doors.
● Reverse the spin of your ceiling fans to a clockwise direction, pushing the heat back down to the lower parts of the room.
● Inspect your roof for any damage or missing shingles.
● Clean autumn leaves and debris from your gutters to encourage proper drainage and prevent ice build-up.
Staying warm and dry in the cold weather is everyone’s goal. Following these simple tasks will keep your home in tip-top shape for the whole winter season.
Spring
Once the snow melts, it is time to get ready for warmer temperatures. Here is a quick look at some things to add to your spring checklist:
● Examine the roof for any missing shingles due to winter weather.
● Inspect your home for any holes or entry points of pests.
● Get outside faucets ready for the season.
● Move any firewood away from your home to deter unwanted creatures from building a nest.
● Make sure to remove ice from gutters to allow for the flow of water.
● Clean window screens to get ready for the nice weather. Dip screens in warm soapy water and scrub with a brush to remove dirt.
● Patch any holes in the screens before insects make their way inside.
● Clean door screens and check for any holes that require patching. Replace glass storm door inserts with screen inserts to allow fresh spring air circulation.
● Get a jump on summer by power washing your siding and home exterior to remove winter dust, salt and dirt.
By patching your screens and checking your windows, you will keep the bugs outdoors where they belong.
Summer
Summer is the season of barbecues, pool parties, and tidying up your home and yard. Here are a few tips to keep your home ready for the warm weather:
● Examine the chimney for any signs of damage. Have a professional come out to inspect and clean your chimney, and to check your roof for leaks in the flashing around the chimney.
● Power-wash your gutters to ensure proper drainage during summer storms.
● Tune up your air conditioning system.
● Check for leaks around your windows and doors to avoid losing all of your cool air. Apply caulk to window frames and around the edges of the panes.
● Pressure-wash the exterior of your home to remove any dirt and mildew from your siding.
Taking the time to check these small details off your list will keep your home looking great all year round.
Fall
Fall brings the leaves, which can cause damage to your home. Cleaning the leaves out of the gutters and off of your roof will prevent further problems when snow comes. Check out these simple maintenance tips for the fall:
● Take steps to prevent ice dams.
● Turn off outdoor water faucets. Be sure to drain the line before shutting off the flow to avoid a burst pipe.
● Check to see that windows are properly insulated and free of drafts before cold weather arrives.
● Insulate drafty doors, using weather stripping and foam tape. Consider replacing old door sweeps to prevent heat from escaping under your doors.
● Remove leaves and debris from your roof and check for any missing or damaged shingles.
● Clean out the gutters and downspouts to encourage water flow.
● Clean up leaves around the yard. Leaves left on your lawn can block new grass growth in the spring.
● If you haven’t done a summer washing of your exterior siding, wash off the grime before winter arrives.
New energy-efficient replacement windows end up paying for themselves in energy savings. If you have drafty old windows, it may be time to call in a professional. The team at Tri-County Windows can help you decide the best course of action for your home, saving you money on your energy bills. Contact us today to get started on your free estimate.