Monday, October 24, 2016

Fall Unique Challenges and Opportunities for Your Home



It’s not until Mid-October that signs of Autumn typically arrive in Texas. As the Indian Summer draws to a close, before the leaves fall and the wind turns chilly, it’s a good idea to do some seasonal maintenance on your home. Here are five (5) things to add to your fall “to do” list.

Check for mold. The humidity of summer can cause mold to flourish. Check locations such as around leaky pipes, cabinets, generally areas that don’t get good ventilation. You will want to remove the mold as soon as possible. It’s wise to have this done by a professional.

Have your furnace inspected. It’s smart to have your heating system serviced before you actually need to use it. Experts say that as much as 75 percent of the calls they receive about homeowners without heat are a result of not having the furnace serviced and cleaned. It will also keep your heating costs down and help keep the air in your home healthy. While you’re at it, check the airflow.
Focus on areas like vents, the hood over your stove, dryer vents, baseboard heaters and room fans. Not only is a buildup of dust a fire hazard, but you also want to keep the air flowing and the allergens at bay.

Check and if need be, replace weatherstripping on doors. There could be gaps that you can’t see and that can increase your energy costs. It’s a simple fix that can be done with items found at your local hardware store.

Inspect your insulation. The most important area to check is your attic. You should have the highest concentration of insulation here. See if there are any gaps that need to be filled. You don’t need to check the insulation in your walls unless you notice heating issues.

Make sure your smoke detectors are working. Ensure both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries. It’s smart to test them also. Both are especially important once your furnace is in use.

Fall is collectively our favorite time of year. We hope you find these maintenance reminders helpful as we all enjoy the seasonal change.