Fall Tips for Homeowners

Sweater weather is coming, along with pumpkin and wreath décor. But there are more important things your home needs to get ready for the autumn season. There are ways you can prepare your house for the colder season. 

1. Clean, repair, or replace your gutters. A clogged gutter can lead to flooding and damage, and eventually more expensive repairs than replacing damaged gutters. 
2. Look for drafts. They can be responsible for up to 25-30% of your heat loss. Weather-stripping is also a simple, cost-effective way to keep your heating costs down. 
3. Drain exterior faucets. Make sure to drain and disconnect all of your garden hoses to prevent water from freezing which may cause pipes to burst.
4. Bring outdoor furniture indoors. Even though the furniture is made for outdoors, you should bring it into the garage or storage space during the colder months to keep it lasting longer. If you don’t have anywhere to store it, consider using covers to protect it from the elements and potential rust. 
5. Fix driveway cracks. Water can get into the cracks and when it freezes it expands and makes the cracks larger. Eventually, the smaller cracks will turn into larger ones causing the concrete to crumble. Find some polyurethane caulk at your local hardware store and follow the steps on the bottle or ask the store employee for information.
6. Change filters. Clogged filters will struggle to keep your home at the right temperature, increasing your energy bills. Maintain the amount that your furnace runs to save you money. 
7. Fertilize the lawn. Even if the grass isn’t growing, roots are still active. The fertilizer will help to prevent damage to your lawn and make your grass greener in the spring. 
8. Test equipment for winter. Make sure to test your winter equipment to see if it’s properly working, such as a snow blower.
9. Change batteries. At least once a year you should be checking your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide batteries to make sure they still work. 

Forensic Engineering Specialists

Engineering Specialists Inc. has nearly 30 years of field experience in analyzing the damage to vehicles, residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. We can work on any project in any state, nationwide. When you or your business needs to confirm the extent of damage or how to correct a problem, email us at office@esinationwide.com or call us, toll-free, at (877) 559-4010.