With summer reaching its end, it’s finally time to prepare our homes and ourselves for the fall season. Though it may be beginning, fall won’t last forever as winter will arrive to take its place, which means now’s the perfect opportunity to tackle any would-be problems. In this article, we’ll be tackling everything a homeowner can do to prepare their home for the fall season.
Get Your Finances Ready
It’s best if you prepare your finances first before anything else. You never know if you need to repair or replace something, such as your windows or HVAC unit. If you require a replacement, it’s not going to be exactly cheap, unfortunately. That’s why you need to go through your entire property and assess everything thoroughly. If you notice something that requires your immediate attention, you can act accordingly. To make sure you can afford everything, it’s highly recommended you take out a personal loan. A personal loan can be used as a security blanket in the event you’re unable to pay for what you need. Before applying for a personal loan, check your current credit score and history. If there are any discrepancies on your report or your score isn’t high enough, it can impact how much you’re eligible for. In the worst-case scenario, you could be denied until you’ve increased your score.
Check the Gutters
With the financial aspect out of the way, let’s get into the fall preparations. The best way to start preparing your home is to check on the gutters. The gutters are responsible for redirecting rainwater away from your home to prevent water damage. One of the most dreadful problems that can occur to a house is water damage as it’s a breeding ground for mold. Mold can severely impact your health and getting rid of mold can be very costly. Gutters can be a prime source if they’re clogged. Over time, the gutters can be backed up by objects such as wet leaves, twigs, rocks, and even animal nests. This prevents the water from flowing properly and fills the gutters instead. If left unchecked, it can cause your gutters to sag due to the weight of the water and debris. As you inspect your gutters, be sure to thoroughly clean out all the debris.
Seal Up Any Air Leaks
Air leaks are another common household issue; they can make it difficult to insulate your home. Insulation is necessary as the temperatures are expected to drop dramatically. But having air leaks can be irritating to deal with as it allows the trapped heat to escape. What’s worse is that these leaks can be in places you wouldn’t even expect. Here’s a quick list of all the different places you can have air leaks:
- Electrical outlets
- The baseboards
- Door frames
- Cracks in the windows
- Air vents
- Gas service entrances
- Gaps in the pipes
Some of these locations can’t even be found by normal means. You’ll have to call a professional to inspect the suspected areas. Once they’re located, you can then work on a solution of sealing them.
Assess the Roof
You’d be amazed at how people overestimate the integrity of their roofs. Sure, roofs are built to be durable and long-lasting, but they’re not everlasting. Over time, they can sustain damage and natural wear and tear. A damaged roof can open the door to household problems. Not to mention residential roof replacement is quite costly. There are all sorts of things to look out for when inspecting your roof. You’ll need to keep an eye out for leaks, damaged shingles, missing tiles, pooling water, damage from the trees, and broken roof cement. Do not gloss over these problems if you come across them. Even if it’s a minor issue, it can potentially evolve into a much bigger problem.
Protect Your Pipes
As the weather gets colder, you’re not the only one who needs to bundle up; your pipes do too. Pipes can potentially freeze up, which can cause problems. When water freezes, it’s expanding. If water freezes within a pipe, it can put a huge strain on them, making them more likely to burst. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your pipes from the cold weather. You can start by insulating them. If you prefer a DIY method, you can thoroughly wrap aluminum foil around the pipes. Alternatively, you can have pipe foam sleeves installed for a more reliable method. If you’re not able to insulate your pipes by yourself, you can always contact a professional plumber to do it for you.
