5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Fall
The official first day of fall is September 22. Here at Top Hat, our mission is to make life less stressful for Manhattan homeowners. Over the years, we have worked on hundreds of homes and seen just about every situation. This year has been especially challenging for homeowners, with one extreme bout of weather after another. Here are the most important things you should do before the new season to prepare your home for cooler weather.
1. Leaks & Drafts
We’ve listed this as our top tip since you can save as much as 30% on your energy bill by fixing drafts. Plus, if there’s a leak, repairs can be very costly.
Starting at the top, inspect the roof for leaks. An easy way to tell if there’s a leak is to look at the eaves for water stains. If your home’s eaves have any water stains, that could mean there’s a leak. You’ll want to contact a roofer to make repairs before the winter.
Next, check for drafts coming in through doors and windows. We perform thermal imaging of our clients’ home’s walls so we can see where the insulation isn’t as effective. But an easier way to check is to open the door, put a piece of paper in between the door and frame, and then close the door. If you can easily slide the paper in and out, you need to replace the weatherstripping. If you feel a draft through any windows, you might be able to fix it with caulk. Bigger drafts could mean you need to replace the windows and/or doors.
2. Put Your Mind Into Your Gutters
Before the trees dump their leaves, you’ll want to check your gutters to make sure that the water drains away from the home. You’ll also want to clear the gutters of leaves. If they get too heavy, it can tear the gutter away from the home and cause water damage.
If you’re in an area that gets snow, any debris in the gutters is ripe for ice damming, which also leads to water damage.
3. Getting Hotter. Getting Colder.
If you notice that your monthly energy bill is higher, it might be because the HVAC air filters need to be changed. Fall is a great time to have your heating unit checked out before the temperatures plunge. You can also take a walk around to make sure that outdoor furniture, plants, or other objects aren’t blocking the external unit, since that will decrease the airflow.
For a gas furnace, an inspection of the air intake and winterization is needed. If you have an older thermostat with liquid, clean it and level it to ensure it’s working properly.
4. Checking 1, 2, 3
Daylight savings time (November 7) is the perfect time to replace the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors. If you’re looking to take an extra step, prepare for winter power outages by putting together an emergency preparedness kit. This usually includes a gallon of water per person, a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, and a first aid kit.
5. Chestnuts Roasting...
If you’ve got a wood-burning fireplace, it should be checked by a professional every 2-4 years. Gas fireplaces should be checked every 5 years. They’ll make sure the flue is clean and that the chimney is swept free of debris. Also, make sure to clean the actual fireplace before using it for the first time. A mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid is perfect for cleaning up the area.
A professional cleaning of the chimney is extremely important and should be done before you light the first fire of the season. Creosote is a highly flammable substance that builds up inside the chimney as a result of burning wood and it needs to be cleaned out not only for your safety but also to help with energy efficiency.
With all your fall home prep work taken care of, you can grab that cozy blanket and hot chocolate, kick back and enjoy your home!
Let us know if you have any questions or need help with your Manhattan home maintenance or property management.
Gary Mindlin is co-founder and owner of Top Hat Home Services, a full-service property care and management company. Top Hat services homes in Manhattan and are known as experts in every aspect of building management, maintenance and repair, as well as renovation and construction supervision.