Now that the colder months are here, it’s a great time to consider doing some maintenance to your home. Not only can you prepare for the winter weather that’s ahead, you can add value to your home by doing the right improvements and fixes.
Some home maintenance jobs can be done by you, and some may need to be done by professionals. Either way, some maintenance tasks are essential and some simply add comfort, style, and value to your house. There are many homeowners who simply don’t know where to begin when it comes to deciding which tasks to tackle by themselves and which ones to leave to a professional. Here are some tips for fall and winter home maintenance that should be performed on your home:
Check for air leaks. You should check every door and window in the house for air leaks. Air leaks cause unnecessary heat loss and high heating bills. You can check by moving a lighter around the window or door to see if the flame moves. If there is a breeze, there is definitely a leak. You can caulk around the leak or install a new frame. You can also use a plastic sealing kit on the windows.
Check the insulation in the basement and attic. Any dirty or dark spots on the insulation is an indicator that you might have air leaks.
Consider doing indoor painting. The autumn months are a great time to do some painting because you can still open the windows for ventilation. If you choose to hire a professional, many painters are not as busy during this season so it will be easier to schedule painting services.
Make sure you have enough wood to burn. If you have a fireplace, you should prepare ahead of time and be certain that you have enough cut wood that is stacked and ready to go.
Get your snow equipment ready and in good working order. Be prepared for snow storms before they happen by checking your shovels and snow blower to make sure they work properly.
Have your heating system inspected and cleaned. You should have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned. Also clean or change furnace filters monthly. If you have a chimney, get it inspected and cleaned, and make sure damper operates properly
This winter season, be sure to consider the advantages of knowing the true value of your home. You can obtain a free home valuation report from Neighborhood IQ to find out how much a property is worth, especially after your fall and winter home improvements and maintenance projects are completed. Also, the Home Loan Advisor can analyze your property, current market conditions, local market comps, and other variables in our proprietary algorithm, and match you with potential lenders.
