Summer Now, Autumn Soon: Five Inspections To Perform Around Your Home Sooner Rather Than Later

If you're a homeowner, you know that there's always something we need do around our homes to prepare it for the upcoming season.  In the spring, we welcome the season by doing a thorough spring clean up around our property and inside, we stow away the heavy drapes and linens.  In the summer, we ready the pool and patio, and maintain the lawn and shrubs.  But in autumn, property maintenance is all about one thing:  preparing our homes for the inevitable cold, inclement weather.  Planning ahead is crucial, and in this post we'll discuss five inspections you'll want perform around your home sooner rather than later.

Summer Now, Autumn Soon: Five Inspections To Perform Around Your Home Sooner Rather Than Later

Inspect Your Plumbing
Giving your pipes, fittings and faucets a visual inspection should be top of your fall home maintenance list.  Check for cracks, leaks and other signs of damage.  if you live in a colder climate, you might want to consider insulating your pipes.  Foam pipe insulation is an easy DIY install and will help keep your pipes from freezing. 

If you're not particularly handy, you can contact a professional plumber like MaplewoodPlumbing.com, who can access your pipes and provide you with a quote for any service you might need. 

Inspect Your Gutters
Clogged gutters are an easy fix, and you can tell whether or not yours are clogged by giving them a simple visual inspection.  Is rainwater pouring off your gutters, instead of making its way through your down spouts?  If so, you probably have debris blocking the flow of water.  Water caught in your gutters can rot the wooden fascia boards your gutters are mounted to, allowing moisture to wreak havoc on your home. In the winter months, that water can freeze, causing ice dams and eventual damage to roof shingles.​

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Inspect Your Roof
Loose, damaged and missing tiles are just a few of the issues your roof faces over time.  Checking out your roof in fall and resolving any issues before harsh weather sets in can save you time, money and headaches.  In addition to inspecting the condition of your roof tiles, keep an eye out for storm damage, animal damage and any damage (and potential damage) from overhanging tree branches.  

Inspect Your Boiler
With the cold months approaching, it's imperative that you perform routine maintenance on your boiler.  If you heat with natural gas, a routine inspection is a must as any leaks or cracks in the heat exchanger can become a safety hazard.  Unlike furnaces, a boiler is exposed to water, which can cause rust and corrosion if neglected.  If you don't already have a maintenance contract in place, contact a reputable heating and cooling company to arrange a professional inspection of your boiler.

Inspect Your Garden
You're going to want to take a walk around your property and take note of what you'll think you need for the upcoming season.  For example, fall is a great time of year to aerate, fertilize and seed your lawn, so you'll want to consider purchasing an inexpensive aerator, if you don't have one.

Additionally, take a look at your downspouts and check for clogs, which can easily be snaked out using a plumbing snake and garden hose.

Finally, use the last of the pleasant weather to give your patio, driveway and walkways a good cleaning with a power washer. 
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Home Maintenance Log Book: Organize, Schedule, Plan, Repair and Renovate, amazon.com

I'm A Homeowner, Now What? (A Logbook for Everything in Your Home), amazon.com

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