Checklist for you Home this Fall

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Fall is a great time to check a few different areas that might cause issues for your home during the winter. Taking the time to go through these items now can ensure that your home is in top shape, and can save a great deal of time, money and stress in the long run.

Make the Climb

Since the roof is the ultimate protector of the entire home, when leaks spring up, it can make quite a dent in your lifestyle. Before the strong winds, ice and snow of the winter kick in is the perfect time to make a check of the roof. Either by using binoculars, or even climbing up on the roof itself, inspect every square inch. Look for shingles that are curling up, or that are missing or damaged. Check the ridge shingles and the metal flashing for any cracks or damage. Although not technically a part of the roof, while you are already up there, it is a good time to look at the gutters as well. Make sure that it is free of debris so that it flows freely and make a note of an excessive amount of granules in it as well. This is an indication that the coating of your roof is failing and that you will likely need to have repair to it soon.

Keep it Toasty

No one wants to wake up on a bitterly cold winter morning and be faced with the sight of their frosty breath. Inspecting the sources of heat in the home before they are used on a daily basis will help ensure this doesn't happen. Make an appointment with a professional for an inspection of your heating system. Whether you use a furnace, heat pump or some other type of system, an annual check of it before the season gets started will help stop any potential issues before they can get larger. If you use a fireplace, have it inspected on an annual basis to ensure that the flue is unblocked. A wood burning stove can provide you with a great deal of heat and warmth throughout the winter. Ensure that it is safe to use, though, by inspecting the pipes and body for cracks or rust.

Don't Forget the Inside

There are a number of ways you can ensure the inside of your home is ready for the impending chilly weather. It is a good idea to replace all the batteries in your smoke detectors with fresh ones before testing them to be sure they are in good working order. Each level of the home should have at least one smoke detector. Change the filter on your furnace so that it can work most efficiently. A dirty filter will not only raise your energy costs, it can also decrease the life of your furnace or heat pump. In general, this filter should be changed once a month. Check your windows for any leakage of air that can increase your energy bills and make your home less comfortable. Caulk places around the window frames that allow the air to flow or replace windows that are beyond repair.

These simple home prevention ideas were brought to you by Case Design with locations throughout Northern Virginia with over 50 years of providing residential remodeling services to customers.