With Fall’s great pleasures such as tailgating, Preds games and hiking in full swing, the mundane world of caulk, gutters and pipes may not even be on your radar. But listen up. Nashville’s Fall rains and freeze-thaw season are just ahead. Do these things if nothing else! Then kick back and relax when winter gusts blow through.
Essential Tasks – Outside
1) Clean out your gutters
This is Job One! If water has no where to go, it dams up in your gutters and seeps or pours in where you least expect it. In no time, it can do a lot of damage inside and out.
2) Fix broken gutters
We hate to break it to you, but gutters have to be fixed from time to time. Make sure they’re securely fastened with the right pitch to send water to downspouts and away from your house.
3) Trim your trees
Look for dead or dangling branches, rotten wood or cavities, mushrooms at the base of trees, and splits in trunks. If you spot potential hazards, call a tree professional before that next storm.
4) Inspect your roof
To keep water out, look for and repair damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing (especially where the roofing and siding meet vents and flues), and damaged mortar around the chimney.
5) Check exterior walls
Look for exposed wood, loose or crumbling mortar, loose siding and signs of wood rot that need repair in order to keep your house weather-tight.
Essential Tasks – Inside
1) Assess your home’s insulation
This is a no-brainer! Adding proper insulation and caulking around openings will reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs by as much as 30 per cent.
2)Service your heating systems
Have your heating system checked, cleaned and serviced every year. Change your filters at least every three months.
3) Know your plumbing
Know how to cut off the main water valve to your house. If your pipes freeze, the quicker you shut off the water, the better your chance of avoiding bursting pipes and one major headache.
4) Inspect your windows
Check for proper caulking and repair broken glass and loose or missing putty. Older homes often need a modern glazing compound instead of putty for a waterproof seal.
5) Test alarms
Make sure smoke and fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors all work. If they’re not hard-wired into your house, be sure to put in new batteries.
