10 Fall and Winter Home-Maintenance Tips to Prevent Costly Fixes

With the fall and winter months upon us, now is the time to do some routine maintenance around your home to prepare for the changing weather ahead. Taking the time to do some work now may save on some major expenses later on. Some of these maintenance jobs can be performed by the homeowner, and some may need to be done by professionals. Many homeowners may not know where to begin when trying to figure out what type of routine maintenance needs to be performed on their homes. Hopefully, these tips will give the homeowners a place to start.

Tip #1 - If you have outdoor furniture, make sure to clean all parts of the furniture, including the cushions, prior to putting it up for the winter. If your furniture has metal frames, make sure to check for rust damage and repair it, if necessary, prior to putting up. It is recommended that outdoor furniture be put inside for the winter, if possible. Just remember that if you cover your furniture to allow for airflow so no mold or mildew forms.

Tip #2 - If you have a fireplace, make sure you have the chimney checked out by a professional chimney cleaner before starting the first fire. All chimneys should be checked out at least once a year prior to use to look for any damage and to have it cleaned. This maintenance will prevent possible chimney fires.

Tip #3 - Check your home around windows and doors for air leaks. An easy way to check for leaks is to move a lighter around the window or door frame and see if the flame moves with a breeze. If you find a leak, you can caulk it or you may have to replace the wood frame. If you are unable to repair the leak around a window frame, you can buy a plastic sealing kit from any home improvement store that can be placed on the outside of the window to prevent air from getting in. For door leaks around the bottom of the door, you can put on a new door sweep. By having these leaks repaired can save you money on your energy bill during the cold months.