Connecticut’s brilliant fall foliage season is upon us! Before you get too distracted by the beautiful scenery, pumpkin spiced lattes, and all the other fall activities, let’s take a look at some important maintenance tips to prepare your home for the changing season.
Fall is a time for springing into action and getting ready for the cold and potentially inclement weather ahead. That being said, there’s more to preparing for fall than getting the rake outs.
Here are some tips for making your home safer and more energy efficient – and they just might save you a lot of money in the long run:
1. Windows and doors
The best advice we can give you to save money on your home is to check the weather stripping and door sweeps on your windows and doors. This alone can save you about a third of your average annual heating and cooling costs.
The best way to check if these need to be replaced is walking around the interior windows, placing your hand near the seal. Check for any breezes flowing through. Do the same process for doors. When you find one, mark it with a sticker or other indicator so you can tally how many repair kits you need. If a window is improperly sized, cracked, or broken, it needs to be replaced. For doors, you can purchase draft preventers and other seal kits to improve the seal.
2. Fireplace and chimney
Each year, there are roughly 26,000 fires related to fireplace and chimneys according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure there is no soot or creosote accumulation.
If you are unfamiliar with inspecting a chimney, it may be worth calling in a chimney sweep, which is usually quite affordable. Make sure to leave your flu closed when not in use, and always have a fireplace screen in front of open flames to protect your home from wayward sparks.
Speaking of fires… make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your home and if so, make sure the lock pin is intact and the pressure indicator is charged.
3. Yard maintenance
Clean your home’s gutters to keep them in good working condition. Leave buildup will cause water to spill over the gutter and into your yard and walking areas, which can cause damage to your home and make walking conditions dangerous.
Disconnect all garden hoses, and store them coiled and flat in a cool, dry place. If possible, turn off water to all outside faucets and drain them to protect the outside pipes from damage.
For gutter cleaning, check out the iRobot Looj 330 Gutter Cleaning Robot is your new best friend this Fall. Blast away leaves, dirt and clogs while brushing gutters clean.
Questions? We’re here to help!
We hope you found this article helpful. If you need to speak with an agent, please feel free to use the chat feature in the bottom left-hand corner or contact us at 203-481-8898. If you’d like to get a free home insurance quote please visit our Home Insurance page for more information about how we found the insurance policies for our clients for over 30 years.
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