We’ve all heard horror stories about unanticipated home issues during the chilly months. Why risk a mishap (and some serious denial) when we can address potential issues right now? Check out some of these to-do’s to get your home ready for the cold stretch.
Before diving in, start getting into the maintenance mindset with these easy tasks that take five minutes or less:
- Change your furnace filter
- Clean your dehumidifier filter
- Change the batteries in your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
- Lay rodent traps
If you have five minutes to start these quickies, then you have five minutes to Make a Request on GetAssist for the following home maintenance & weatherproofing suggestions!
Indoor Maintenance
Caulk, insulate, or replace windows
If you notice that a room or area remains chilly during the fall and winter months, it’s highly likely that you have some outdoor air seeping in. Drafty windows are one of the main inconveniences for homeowners during fall and winter and can be remedied in a few different ways depending on the severity of the draft. While in some cases, you may only need to put a fresh layer of caulk, in others, you may need to insulate or completely replace the windows.
Have heating units checked
No one wants their heat going out during a cold northern winter. Whether you use oil heating, gas, or an electric furnace, it’s important to have it checked out to ensure its safety and efficiency…similar to a car tune-up! Without heating system tune-ups, your important investment begins to work less effectively, and there’s a higher risk for breakdowns. The carbon monoxide alarm (that you just put a fresh battery in) will also help detect any potentially dangerous furnace leaks in your gas furnace.
Protect your hardwood flooring
Along with Canadian autumns and winters comes plenty of moisture, dirt, decomposed leaves, and icy sidewalks and driveways (which ultimately results in plenty of salt, too). When you carry dirt and salt into the house from the bottom of your shoes, you’re slowly damaging any hardwood flooring that it touches. To prep your hardwood floors for the elements, we suggest having a protective sealant professionally applied to ensure longevity.
Alleviate allergens by deep cleaning
Many people suffer from asthma and allergies, and according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, their conditions are exacerbated by indoor allergens such as dust mites and animal dander. Since so much more time is spent indoors during the upcoming seasons, we suggest having your home deep-cleaned regardless of whether you have blatant allergy symptoms or not. Pets are some of the main sources of indoor allergens, but other culprits include wall-to-wall carpet, soft furniture, stuffed toys, bedding, damp areas, etc. Make a Request on GetAssist and get in touch with a local professional cleaning company that will help make your home shine from top to bottom!
Read on for Outdoor Maintenance Tips...
