Now’s the time to get your home set for winter and we’re making it easy for you with our fall maintenance review list. And while we probably won’t have a lot of snow lingering on the ground until mid to late November, don’t leave it until the last minute. Repair service providers tend to be backlogged at this time of year!
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Seal, seal, seal. Caulk and seal around exterior door and window frames. Look for gaps where pipes or wiring enter the home and caulk those as well. This prevents heat from going out and moisture from coming in – a double win!
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Binoculars aren’t just for birdwatchers. Check the roof for damaged shingles, loose metal, and missing hardware. The extreme winter weather we see here can cause serious damage to your roof if there are any week spots. This in turn can lead to damage inside the home. Grab your binoculars and take a look, but when in doubt use a qualified professional to inspect and repair as needed.
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Get clean. If you have gutters remove any accusation of leaves, sticks, etc. Check the seams between sections of gutter and check your heat tape is working before the snow starts to settle.
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Hang your garden tools. Give the lawn one last mow and use a coring machine (these can be rented from SteamboatRentals.biz) in early preparation for the spring. Wash and dry all your garden tools so that they don’t rust in storage. Drain garden hoses and store them in a covered area, shut off outdoor faucets, drain all exterior pipes. Faucets and pipes can freeze and burst, causing serious water damage. Make sure the snow blower is in working order so you don’t get stuck shoveling the driveway by hand.
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Bring in the fresh air. Make sure the air you are breathing is as clean as possible now that the windows are closed. Replace air filters, sanitize humidifiers, replace the batteries in your CO2 and Carbon Monoxide detectors.
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Feel the warmth. Call the chimney sweep and make sure your flu is safe before lighting the wood fire and get your gas fireplace serviced. Stat.
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Now its time to sit back with a cup of cocoa in front of the fireplace and enjoy the beauty of winter settling over our little mountain town.
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