Fall Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home in Top Shape

November 10, 2015

Fall is the ideal time of the year to boost your home's energy efficiency and get it ready for winter. As you look to maximize your heating system's efficiency, don't forget to perform some basic home maintenance. Here's what you should include in your fall maintenance to complement your HVAC maintenance activities.

Inspect the Roof

The roof is your home's first defense against Mother Nature. A damaged roof can allow moisture to leak into your attic and walls. This will damage insulation and promote the growth of mold, mildew and other indoor allergens. Look for loose and missing shingles, gaps and rust spots on flashing, and masses of fungi, lichen and moss. If you spot these problems, call in a licensed, certified professional.

Air Sealing

Walk around your house to locate and seal air leaks. Install caulk or weatherstripping around doors and window frames to prevent drafts. Add door sweeps to the bottom of drafty doors to retain indoor heat and block out cold air. Remove screens and replace them with storm windows and doors. Air seal the areas where the siding meets the masonry and where wiring and plumbing penetrate walls.

Check Exterior Paint

Check the paint surface of your exterior walls for any blistering or peeling. The problem areas will need to be scraped and repainted. Remember the exterior paint is your home's protection against water infiltration. Ignoring repairs will expose your siding to damage, opening you up to more expensive repairs.

Weatherproof Your Pipes

Install heat tape on exposed pipes to protect them from freezing. Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets. Drain all water from your garden hoses before storage.

Clean Your Gutters

Clean out your gutters and downspouts. If your gutters become clogged, they will cause water to pool and pour over. This can damage your foundation, roof and siding.

By doing these home maintenance activities, you'll be assured of a comfortable and energy-efficient home for the next several months. For more handy tips, contact us at Lozier Heating & Cooling. We've been proudly serving the Greater Des Moines area for more than 100 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: "tomertu/Shutterstock"