Fall Maintenance

 Fall Maintenance Tips

 Winterize air conditioning systems. Remove and store window units. If you have central air, cover the outside unit with a tarp or plastic sheeting and secure with bungee cords.

 

 

 

 

 

 Get heating system ready for winter. Check for any leaks in windows or doors; these can cost an arm and a leg. Make sure heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture. Get furnace serviced/inspected at least every other year, preferably annually. As with the AC, this shouldn’t be a huge expense. 

 

Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets. Also flush hoses and store them. Winterize sprinkler systems as well, if you have one.

 

 

 

 

 

Test sump pump. You don’t want to wait until you need your sump pump to find out it’s not working. Ideally twice a year place chlorine tablets to keep it unobstructed.

 

 

 

Check driveway/pavement for cracks. Make sure to have re-sealed before winter; water can freeze and expand in the cracks, causing more damage.

 

 

 

 

Buy winter gear. Have sidewalk salt, good shovels, etc. ready for winter. You never know when that first snow will come!

 Clean and check your chimney.  Chimney maintenance is a job for professionals, but there are a few things you can check for yourself.  Make sure that the chimney cap is in good condition, and that it does not become clogged with leaves or other debris. A wire screen will keep debris and animals from getting down into the chimney. (Birds, raccoons, and other animals may build nests inside chimneys when they are not used frequently).

Change humidifier filters If you have a humidifier at home to humidify the indoor air, it is very important that it be cleaned properly and frequently to prevent contaminating the air with bacteria.