- Test Your Detectors - Fall is a great time to schedule testing of your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and change the batteries in them, whether they require them or not. You’ll want to ensure you do this again in the spring as well. If your detectors are hard-wired, they can still be tested, along with their electrical connections, to ensure complete safety during the winter months.
- Get Your Generator Ready - The last thing you’ll want to have to do in the middle of winter is to troubleshoot your generator when you need it most. Ensure next-to-no downtime this winter by checking to make sure it’s in working order and that no lines are leaking, it is far enough away from your house (10’ from any window or door) and that you have a sufficient supply of fuel of fresh gas to fill it at least once, or a full LP or propane tank.
- Inspect Drains - Although it may not seem like a big deal now, slow-clearing drains may be a sign of a bigger and more serious issue that can’t wait until spring. There are many things you can try yourself to get things moving again, but, if these don’t work, it’s always best to call a drain-cleaning professional to avoid causing any damage to your drainage system.
- Change Out Dirty Filters - Summer is the time to fling your windows and doors wide open and let the air flow through. However, when temperatures cool, dirty furnace filters and other filters can put unwanted particles into the air you breathe. You will definitely want to replace furnace filter – should be a regular maintenance item every 30 to 60 days. Also include any filters in your vacuum cleaner or air purifier, as these will also make a big difference to your indoor air quality.
- Clean Those Gutters and Downspouts- Ensuring your gutters are clean should be a top priority when preparing your home for winter. Leaves and debris can hold onto moisture and prevent it from draining through downspouts properly. Not only that, but should temperatures drop below freezing, ice will turn to water, expanding, stretching, and potentially causing expensive damage to gutters and drains.
- Check the Roof and Penetrations - Check your roof for secure seals around the chimney, missing shingles, and anything else you may notice is out of place. If you’re uneasy about going on the roof most roofing companies will provide a no cost inspection. Another thing you’ll want to inspect while you’re on the roof is your chimney itself; check its exterior for cracks and other damage. If you haven’t yet had it inspected and cleaned this year, now is the time to do it.
- Inspect Your Trees - Summer storms and winds can wreak havoc on trees and, if there are any near your home, you’ll definitely want to take a walk and inspect them closely. Note any dead trees close to your home and have them removed, as it may only take one or two winter storms with high winds to bring them down. causing severe and expensive damage to your home, powerlines, and other structures. Also, check for and remove any tree branches that are loose and ready to fall.
- Feed Your Lawn & Trees - The onset of cooler weather may have you thinking that your lawn and trees no longer need nourishment or hydration, but this couldn’t be further from the truth; your lawn will need as much protection as possible before winter sets in. So now is also a great time to ensure they are well-watered and fertilized so you have a healthy lawn when warmer weather arrives.
- HVAC Unit Serviced - Those hot, humid Texas summers take their toll on everyone and everything, including your HVAC unit, which has probably been working overtime. There are things you can do to extend your unit’s life, such as listening for unusual noises, ensuring your filters are always cleaned or replaced, and cleaning your registers. It’s also a good idea to be sure that any bushes located close to your unit are cut back to allow for sufficient air flow.
