Home Maintenance Alabama Homeowners Should Do Before Winter
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist For AL Homeowners
Sure, we’ve had a few chilly mornings in the last couple of weeks but days are still great for fishing on Lake Mitchell and the weekend’s weather hasn’t stopped fans from tailgating before the games. Simply put, fall has arrived in Greater Birmingham and Central Alabama and it is wonderful. It won’t be long though before the first frost occurs and we lose an hour of daylight. Which means now is the ideal time to tackle those home maintenance items that should be done in advance of the upcoming season. With that in mind, here are a few to-dos we think are must-dos this fall.
Clean the chimney
If you actively use your fireplace during the cold weather months, it is imperative that you have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned before you light your first fire. Obstructions in the chimney, such as bird or squirrel nests, may prohibit your chimney from doing its job which is to eliminate smoke, toxins, and fumes from your home safely. Built up residue from soot and other materials covering the flue and masonry may also make your fire less efficient and could spark a fire you never intended.
Unless you are experienced in chimney cleaning, we highly recommend hiring a professional chimney cleaning company for the job. Not only will they make sure everything is working properly, they may be able to prevent costly repairs with early detection.
Schedule a fall furnace tune-up
Without a furnace tune-up every year, HVAC systems are more likely to require repairs and become less efficient more quickly. Even if your furnace is not your home’s main source of heat, it is still a good idea to schedule a fall tune-up every. single. year. The cost of a tune-up is far less than a major repair or worse, a new HVAC system.
A furnace tune-up includes an inspection of the elements, a thorough cleaning, and adjustments or calibrations that ensure your furnace will continue to do its job well into the dark days of winter.
Again, this is a job best left for the professionals and in case you were wondering, tune-ups apply to heat pumps too!
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
As we mentioned in a previous blog, you should replace the batteries in your smoke detectors when daylight savings time ends, and really you should test both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly.
Testing your systems should be fairly simple but don’t forget to let your monitoring company know you’ll be conducting a test if they are tied into a home security system.
Check your sump pump
With all the flooding our area has dealt with recently, there’s a good chance many homeowners already know how their sump pumps are performing. For those who have been spared from the flooding or who just aren’t sure if their sump pumps will work should their basements flood, we recommend testing your sump pump.
Methods or procedures for testing sump pumps depend on the type you have and so we recommend reaching out to a professional if you’re not sure how to properly test yours.
Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans
During the hot summer months in Alabama, we want our ceiling fans to create a chilling effect. The opposite is true in the winter however, which is why it’s a smart idea to change the direction of your ceiling fans in the fall. By reversing the direction and operating your ceiling fan on a lower speed, warm air that normally settles near the ceiling is pushed downward into your living space.
To make this change, be sure to shut your fan off and allow it to come to a complete stop. On the body of the fixture there should be a fan switch that you will need to slide in the other direction. Once that’s complete, simply turn the fan back on. While you’re up there, don’t forget to change light bulbs if your fan is also a light!
Winterize the house
To make sure your home is ready for fall, here are a few more interior and exterior maintenance tips:
Disconnect and drain water hoses and store in the garage
Winterize your sprinkler system
Seal any gaps or holes to keep out insects and rodents that are looking for warm shelter
Drain outside faucets (make sure to shut off the cut off valve before you tackle this)
Inspect and replace weather stripping on exterior doors
Check caulking inside and outside the house and correct as necessary to prevent damage
Greater Birmingham Home Improvement Specialists
At Serve One Construction, we are a locally owned and family-operated home improvement company serving Homewood, Hoover, and Chelsea as well as communities throughout the Greater Birmingham metro area. With more than 10 years of industry experience and a full-time team committed to providing quality service, Serve One is ready to help you tackle your home improvement project(s).
