It’s Time for Fall Maintenance

The days are getting shorter, the air crisper, and soon enough, winter will be upon us. Whether your home is brand new or you’ve lived in it for decades, now’s the perfect time to tackle your fall home maintenance and get your property ready for the change of seasons.

At Alloy Homes, we recommend a Check – Prepare – Maintain approach:

• Check all major systems in your home are functioning as they should.
• Prepare for the season ahead.
• Maintain your home throughout the season to avoid any unexpected issues.

Check

• Check your mechanical system’s service schedule and book a fall tune-up if needed. If your furnace filter hasn’t been replaced or your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) filter hasn’t been cleaned, now’s a great time to do them.
• Ensure all doors and windows are properly sealed to prevent drafts. Weatherstripping, caulking and adjustments may be required depending on the age of your home.
• Scan exterior walls and foundations for any cracks or damage that could allow cold air or moisture to seep in.
• Inspect the garage, including overhead and man doors, gutters and drains to ensure everything is sealing properly, operational and clear of debris.
• Test carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly. Replace batteries as needed.
• Check vents, chimneys and flues to ensure they are free of obstructions.

Prepare

• Clean leaves from gutters, scuppers, downspouts and window wells to prevent blockages that could cause ice dams or water damage in winter.
• Turn off water to exterior faucets via the interior shutoff valve, which is typically located in your mechanical room. Drain hose bibs and store hoses. Winterize your irrigation system if you haven’t already.
• Remove window screens and ensure heating vents aren’t blocked so warm air can circulate freely.
• Clean dryer vents to prevent lint buildup, which can be a fire hazard.
• Have your fireplace and furnace ducts cleaned to ensure they’re ready for heavy use during the colder months.

Maintain

• Continually adjust your home’s humidifier settings to correspond to changing outdoor temperatures. The settings in every home are different, but keeping humidity too high in cold weather can lead to condensation and ice buildup around windows and doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds open a little to promote airflow around windows — warmer glass means you can carry a little more humidity in your home before noticing condensation. Wipe away any condensation that does form on windowsills to prevent moisture damage.
• Regularly ventilate areas like the kitchen and bathrooms to maintain your home’s overall indoor air quality. If you have an active HRV, ensure it’s set to the highest possible speed to help keep indoor humidity down.

Taking a few proactive steps now will help safeguard the investment you’ve made in your home and ensure it remains comfortable and protected as we head into winter.

Beyond good practice, staying on top of seasonal home maintenance is essential to keeping your new home warranty intact. Since every home is unique, it’s important to review the requirements set out in your new home warranty manual and individual product warranty guides so you can have peace of mind throughout the season and Love Staying Home.

This post outlines common seasonal home maintenance and potential solutions but does not comprise all situations and solutions. Please refer to your new home warranty manual and individual product warranties to determine whether professional maintenance is required for your home’s products and systems.