10 Things to Do to Prepare Your Home for Fall
Fall is a wonderful time in RVA — if your home is ready for it.
Yes, this is the time of year to fix small problems before they become big, and big ones before they become catastrophic. Here are 10 tips to help:
- Look
up. Examine your roof closely. Remove
moss, clear debris from your gutters and downspouts, and repair any damage.
- Look
down. Check for signs of animals
and insects around your home and garage, including in the basement and
crawlspace. Bring in a professional to get rid of unwanted guests.
- Keep
things warm. Heat escapes through leaks
around windows and doors, so seal up any drafty areas. Outside, put covers over
faucets before temperatures drop.
- Keep
things dry. Drain outdoor hoses, faucets
and irrigation systems. Look in the basement and crawlspace for wet spots. And,
make sure your water heater or boiler isn’t leaking.
- Clear
the air (or vents and filters, at least). When’s the last time you checked your dryer
vent? You should take a look at attic vents and exhaust ducts, as well. And,
change that furnace filter!
- Take
a walk. Cracks in your driveway or
walkways will only get bigger, so get them fixed soon. If your deck has signs
of wear, make repairs now.
- Get
a tune-up. You or a professional should
clean and tune your furnace, boiler and/or water heater, as well as your oven
and range.
- Don’t
play with fire. Before building your first
fireplace fire of the season, check for soot or creosote build-up.
- Don’t
play with fire extinguishers, either. But,
check them to ensure they still have pressure. Don’t have fire extinguishers?
Put them on your shopping list, ideally one for each floor.
- Don’t forget those smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Replace batteries when needed, and test regularly that alarms are working.
Keeping your home insurance policy in tip-top condition is smart, too. Remember to check in with us at least once a year to update your policy so you’re covered for your new remodel, additions or personal possessions. Give us a call 804-320-0129 or email smagee@https://knightmageeinsurance.com.