Ready or not, winter is and cooler temperatures are just around the corner. It's time to prepare your home with this easy to follow checklist!

Clean your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is essential in maintaining your home's safety and integrity from the top down. Give your gutters the TLC they need to look and function their best by clearing out leaves and debris.

Inspect your Roof

Roof maintenance can help prevent further damage and costly repairs down the line. Inspect your roof and make sure it can withstand the winter season.

Seal Air Leaks or Drafts

Check your window and door seals to make sure you have efficient home heating as the temperature starts to drop. If you have an older home with single pane windows, we like the window insulating kits that can be installed with a hairdryer - the plastic film really works against drafty windows and can be easily removed in the spring.

Clean your Chimney

A common cause of chimney fires is creosote inside the chimney catching fire and burning inside the chimney. Creosote is a by-product of burning that coats the inside of your chimney that needs to be removed by cleaning. There are a few ways to clean your chimney yourself, but we recommend calling a professional. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you're not without the right safety equipment and another person on-site. 

Clean or Replace Furnace Filters

As a rule of thumb, 1-2 inch filters should be replaced every 1 to 3 months, 3-4-inch filters should be replaced every 6 to 9 months, and 5-6 inch filters should be replaced every 9 to 12 months. Clean filters offer better air quality and improved heat efficiency.

Inspect Heating Systems

Before turning on your furnace, it's always a good idea to have the system inspected and cleaned if necessary. This is both for safety and efficiency. TIP: Test the batteries in your CO detector.

Tidy Yard and Walkways

Shoveling snow is never fun, but it is less so when walkways are uneven, or cluttered. Take time to clean up your yard and walkways, storing summer items like planters, chairs, or toys to keep them in great condition for next year - you'll feel glad you did!

Clean Carpets

Fall is an ideal time to clean your carpets - the reduction in humidity offers the best conditions to have them dry properly. Open your windows to speed up the drying process and infuse your home with clean crisp air. 

Review your Home Insurance

Now is a great time to review your home insurance coverage, and to report any improvements or changes. Call or come in to talk to us!

Do you have a checklist of your own? Tell us in the comments!