The summer heat has subsided and left cooler temperatures in its wake. Before the weather grows colder and wetter, prepare by performing some routine home maintenance.
Roof & Gutters
- Check for and repair broken or missing shingles. November marks the beginning of Southern California’s rainy season. Make sure your roof is ready by inspecting for and replacing broken or missing shingles.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. Throughout fall, clean your gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris. This will keep water from collecting on your roof and prevent wood rot and other damage to your home.
- Make sure water drains away from your home. The area around your home should be graded away from your house. Downspouts should transport runoff at least 3 to 4 feet from foundation. Improper drainage causes costly foundation problems.
Windows & Doors
- Seal around windows and doors. Make sure you are keeping your heated air inside this winter by caulking around windows and checking the weather stripping around exterior doors.
- Clean windows. Cleaning your windows is easier when the weather isn’t too cold or too hot. Cleaner windows let more natural heat from the sun enter your rooms.
- Open curtains and shades. Opening your curtains and shades during the day allows more sunlight into your home and more natural heat. This can help reduce your winter heating bill. But remember to close them again at night to keep the heat inside.
Heating System
- Change your furnace filter. This should be a regular occurrence for your heating and cooling systems. Check and replace your filter about every month. A dirty filter will cause undue stress on your heating system.
- Schedule an annual furnace tune-up. Your heating system has been taking the summer off. Before it’s thrust into action again this winter, get an annual tune-up from a trusted professional. Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your furnace and prevent costly repairs.
- Consider a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats allow you the ability to set your heater to turn on only when you need it.
Landscaping
- Make sure your trees are healthy. Trim your trees before the winter storms to help prevent trees from falling or shedding limbs from high winds. A tree that hasn’t been trimmed in awhile can cause serious property damage during storms.
- Give your plants mulch. Keep your flowers, bushes and shrubs healthy and warm this winter by applying a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plants.
- Plant your winter lawn. If you are going to be planting your winter lawn this year, now is the time to do so. The lawn must be established before the weather becomes too cold.
Enjoy the cooler weather that fall provides and prepare your home for the oncoming winter by performing these simple home maintenance tips now.
