Now is the time to start preparing your home for the cold winter months. This will allow you plenty of time to get everything done while the weather is still pleasant. Are you not sure what tasks you should complete this month? Check out our September home maintenance guide below.
Prep The Outdoors
Now is the time to lay mulch in your garden. This will protect the area from winter frost. You also need to cut back any shrubbery near your home. It will be too difficult to do once it starts get colder and wetter. Check the outdoor condition of your home, and make repairs if needed. Pay attention to your siding and roof. You don’t want chilly air coming in because these areas need repairs. Once the leaves have started to fall off of the trees, make sure your gutters are clear. You may need to remove leaves and debris from them. Clogged gutters will make it difficult for gutters to do their job efficiently.
Check Your Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms can save your life. However, it’s important that they are functioning properly at all times. During your September home maintenance, test all of the smoke alarms in your house. It’s also a good time to change their batteries as well. If you have a carbon monoxide detector, don’t forget to test it too. Check the expiration dates on all of your fire extinguishers. It’s a good idea to replace them once every five years. Refresh yourself on how to use a fire extinguisher. You don’t want to have to try to read the label when there is a fire just because you forgot how to work your fire extinguisher.
Get Your Fireplace Ready
A malfunctioning fireplace won’t be able to provide warmth when it’s cold outside. This is why you need to take the time to get your fireplace ready even though you may not be using it for a few months. Each year, thousands of home fires originate from fireplaces that aren’t maintained properly. Have your fireplace inspected to ensure that there aren’t any issues. Schedule a chimney sweep to come out and clean it. Check the area around your fireplace to ensure that there aren’t any safety hazards. This area around should be free from items that contain flammable materials. You should also be using a screen around your fireplace. It will catch any sparks and reduce the risk of home fires. If you don’t have a screen, now is the time to get one. If you do have a screen, inspect it to make sure that there is no damage to it from the previous year.
In conclusion, don’t put off your home maintenance. While there is a lot to do, it will be worth all of the effort so that your home will be prepared before cold weather strikes. By utilizing the September home maintenance guide listed above, you can ensure that your home will be ready for the upcoming seasons. If you need any help, give use a call today. We can help you source any of your home maintenance needs throughout the year.
