With autumn approaching for so many of us, the weather is starting to change, the days are getting a little shorter, and some of us are already thinking about plans for the holiday season. Before you start wrapping up warm and staying indoors for the foreseeable future, however, it’s an important time of the year to carry out a few checks on the home, and a few upgrades or fixes if necessary. Here, we’ll look at the essential home maintenance your home needs this autumn.
Inspect And Upgrade Your Insulation
With the colder weather on the approach, it becomes more important to make sure that your home is able to keep you warm and toasty. You might find yourself turning on the heating more often than usual, but without the right insulation for the home, it can be a lot less energy efficient than you would hope. Insulation prevents heat transfer and, without it, more heat escapes from the home, forcing your heating appliances to work harder to maintain the temperature that you want. If you’re missing insulation, then filling in the gaps is important. Otherwise, you should look for air leaks around doors and windows, cracks that can be sealed, and even your pipes, which can freeze without insulation.
Servicing Your Heating System
As mentioned, you’re likely to be relying on your heating system more when the cold autumn weather starts to roll in. However, winter can get even colder and, as such, you should take the opportunity now to schedule a professional service for your boiler or central heating. An annual inspection is vital for making sure that your system runs as efficiently and safely as possible. If you don’t get it serviced, then problems lurking under the surface could get more expensive and potentially dangerous over time. Otherwise, be sure to replace filters, bleed your radiators, and test your thermometer controls to make sure that everything is ready to work at its best by the time the winter months roll around.
Take Care Of Your Room And Gutters
As beautiful as autumn leaves may look when they’re falling or flying through the air, they can be a nightmare for your home. An increase in leaves in the air also means an increased chance of blocked gutters, alongside the other debris and dirt that can get picked up in the wind. Meanwhile, more wind, rain, and dirt can also be bad for your roof, potentially leading to damage or trapped moisture, which can lead to leaks and rot. Be sure to invest in annual gutter maintenance as well as roof washing to make sure that you preserve its long-term health. A clean, well-maintained roof and gutter system directs water away from your home and prevents costly water-related damage throughout the autumn and winter seasons.
Check Your Doors And Windows
While you might look at them as part of checking for air gaps, your doors and windows do require a little more attention, as they can be a very common source of heat loss in the autumn and winter. You can check for air leaks by holding a candle or an incense stick near the frames on a windy day (providing it’s safe to do so), and seeing if the flame moves as a result of airflow. You can caulk, weatherstrip, or add draft stoppers ot prevent warm air from escaping. However, over time, windows and doors can lose their efficiency. Adding secondary glazing or even thermal curtains can serve as a temporary solution, but you may want to consider budgeting for their replacement.
Test Your Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors
We’re going to be using our heating systems and perhaps even getting a nice, warm glow from the fireplace as the days get colder. However, when that happens, there is also an increased chance of both fire and carbon monoxide exposure. This is the perfect time of year to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and, if necessary, to replace their batteries. It’s also worth checking to make sure that your home setup is up to standard, ensuring that there are detectors on every level of the home, and especially those near your bedrooms. If you have any detectors or alarms that are ten years old or over, you should replace them with new models regardless. Consider upgrading to smart detectors that send alerts to your phone.
Ensure The Exterior Is Ready, Too
Most of your concern might be for securing the interior of the home, but the exterior and garden can also benefit from a little attention, as well. If the weather is starting to get worse, now is the time to store or cover outdoor furniture that might otherwise get soaked or dirty. Take the time to drain and shut off any outdoor water taps, as well. If you have any trees or hedges, be sure to trim any overhanging branches they might have, which can become a hazard in high wind speeds or under the weight of snow.
Check Your Chimney And Fireplace
While not every home has a fireplace and a chimney nowadays, it’s important to check if you do. Investing in a professional fireplace inspection and chimney cleaning can ensure that there is no creosote buildup, reducing your chances of a dangerous chimney fire. You can also make sure that there are no nests or debris blockages in the chimney, which can prevent ventilation and become a real risk. If you have a gas fireplace, then check your pilot lights and arrange to have it serviced once a year. Although fires are less common in the autumn and winter, the season does bring about some unique risks, so it’s important to make sure that you update your fire safety plan once a year, making sure you have any tools you need, such as fire extinguishers, and that you’re able to safely evacuate the home if necessary.
It’s a good idea to generally check the health of the home twice a year. The changes in the weather can affect the home in a lot of ways that can make it less comfortable to live in. The tips above can help prevent that.
