The seasons are changing, and we are quickly rolling into that time of the year where it doesn’t stop raining on Vancouver Island, commonly known as winter. Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder and wetter days ahead of you. Even though some of those chores are often procrastinated and forgotten – keep in mind that looking after your home will save you money and a headache in the long run.
The fall maintenance plan for your home consists of five main areas that require attention: The Exterior, Interior, Plumbing, Electrical and Heating.
Exterior
When it comes to the exterior of your home, fall is the perfect time to get out there and check and clean your sump pump(s) and window wells (if applicable). Inspect your exterior caulking and re-caulk if necessary, and adjust the weather stripping on doors and windows if you can find any irregularities there. To avoid a bad surprise during the winter, it is highly recommended to check your roof for defects before the rainy seasons. A few basic cleaning chores, such as cleaning your gutters and downspouts, windows, chimney flues and deck drains will also keep you out of trouble.
Interior
Don’t worry – the interior is a a quick one. Simply inspect your crawl space to make sure there aren’t any un foreseen issues.
Plumbing
Are your garden hoses disconnected, exterior taps drained and your irrigation sprinkler lines blown out? These are all very important for when the first frost comes around. You may also want to consider installing freeze-proof taps. For more information on how they work, check out this article.
Electrical
Check your circuit breakers to make sure they have not become stuck and are in good working condition.
Heating
When it comes to Heating, you will want to make sure that your fireplace and chimney flue are cleaned, and that your heating system is serviced and working. Nothing is worse than a lack of coziness during the cold months.
Check the schedule below for more information about seasonal home maintenance.
“New Home Maintenance Schedule”: Travelers Canada
Cover Photo: Innocent Thunder Photography
