Although home maintenance is a crucial part of keeping the home in good shape all throughout the year, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Seasons like fall are especially important in terms of home maintenance, mainly due to the ease with which these projects can be done. If you’d like to improve your home in the fall but not deplete your finances, here’s a budget-friendly home maintenance checklist that you can use.
Inspect and Clean the Roof and Gutters
Your home is protected from the effects of rain and humidity in general to a large extent by the roof. The gutters also play an important role as they help direct water off the roof and to the drains. This is the reason why it’s important for you to inspect them thoroughly and fix any issues that they may have. If you find nothing wrong, clean them and make sure that they’re free of debris from the previous season.
Such debris, which includes accumulated dust, leaves, and more, could clog your gutters and stop them from working as they should. If there happens to be a heavy downpour while they’re in this state, they may fail and lead to extensive damage to your house. This is important to keep in mind when you consider the fact that 14.6 million properties in America are at risk of flooding, according to ABC News.
Service the HVAC
Your family will rely heavily on the HVAC this season, and that makes it important to make sure that it’s in good condition. Call a local HVAC technician to perform thorough service to your unit and repair anything that’s out of shape. With frequent service and preventative maintenance, you’ll keep your unit in great shape and lengthen its lifespan. Keep in mind that averages in the industry suggest that an air conditioner should last for anywhere from 12 to 15 years, while a gas furnace should last for 20 to 25 years. A well-maintained unit is therefore a great investment to have in your home as you can be sure that it’s going to serve you well.
Clean and Repair the Siding
Next, perform a thorough inspection of the siding to see whether it’s damaged in any way. Gaps and cracks should be replaced the moment they’re found. Failure to do this will leave your home prone to leaking the treated air from your home and leaving you with an inflated energy bill.
Note that a majority of installation for siding has a rating for winds reaching 110mph. That said, it’s a lot easier to re-install vinyl siding than other types of siding if the wind does rip it off. If there’s no damage, but the siding has accumulated some dirt during the just-concluded season, you need to clean it. Use a power washer to easily get rid of this dirt so that your home looks presentable and gets improved curb appeal.
Take Care of Your Lawn
Last but not least, remember to take proper care of your lawn during fall. This may involve adding mulch and fertilizer to the lawn, shrubs, and trees. It’s even more important for you to take this measure if your home is in a place that experiences frigid winters. In this case, you’ll give your lawn the chance to spring back in good health when the weather warms up again. In addition, you’re going to have an easier time taking care of your lawn and maintaining your home’s curb appeal.
This checklist should help you take the best care of your home in the fall without impacting your finances negatively. With some practice, you’ll know the specific projects to tackle come each new season. In the end, your family will be comfortable and safe from the elements, giving you experience in what you need to do each time the seasons change.