Fall Means Proper Home Preparation NeededUncategorizedOctober 17, 2019 As summer goes off into the horizon and the fall season ‘falls’ upon us (no pun intended), the weather can feel like it goes from cool evenings to snow days and slippery sidewalks before you even know what is happening. The fall season should be a time when people ‘batten down the hatches’ when it comes to their homes in preparation for a chilly winter season coming ahead. Here are some helpful tips on how to properly prepare for the fall and winter, according to Economical Insurance. Clean out your eaves troughs and downspouts, as both are meant to direct water away from your home to prevent leaks all year long, but they can’t do that if they’re damaged or clogged with leaves or other debris. Thee fall season would be a good time to remove all debris and repair or replace any damaged sections. Turn off your outdoor water supply and drain exterior pipes, faucets, and hoses to prevent freezing, such as shut off valves. Also disconnect your hose, drain the pipe and valve. If you have an in-ground irrigation or sprinkler system, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions to drain it. Get your wood burning fireplace and chimney in order, like having them professionally inspected and cleaned, as well as making sure the area surrounding your fireplace is set up for a safe burning season. If you happen to have a wood stove or pellet stove, you’re required to take special safety precautions. Prepare your home’s heating system for the season. This could include calling a professional if your furnace is due for an inspection or tune-up (check the owner’s manual to find out when this should be done), replacing filters that might still be dirty from last winter, dusting all heating vents and making sure they’re clear of obstructions like furniture, carpeting, or curtains, reprogramming your smart thermostat and making eco-friendly updates to save energy and lower your heating bills. Test or replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home and remember to follow the maintenance instructions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Reverse your ceiling fans. Many ceiling fans can be set up to change direction (from counterclockwise to clockwise) and run on a lower speed in the fall, which allows warm air to be pushed down from the ceiling. This can help you save energy and money. Re-seal drafty windows and doors. Keep the warm air inside and the cool air outside by re-caulking around window and door casings (if needed), as well as checking the weather stripping on your doors. Bonus tip: Try closing your door on a piece of paper. If you can slide the piece of paper up and down along the door frame without ripping it, it’s probably time to replace the weather stripping on your door. Get your roof in shape for snow-load season. Have a professional thoroughly inspect your roof (inside and out) and have any damaged areas repaired before the snow starts. Cut and clear your lawn. Long grass and piles of leaves can make perfect nests for insects and rodents. Plus, if snow falls before you have a chance to cut your lawn and clear away the leaves, it can lead to snow mould and other fungal issues. When it’s time for the last lawn-mowing of the year (after your lawn has stopped growing), lower your blades one notch and go for a shorter cut. It’s okay to leave some grass clippings on the lawn itself, but you’ll want to clear away any large piles of leaves and other debris, paying special attention to the areas surrounding your home’s foundation. Repair cracks in your home’s foundation. You can usually do this from the inside, rather than having to dig around the outside of your foundation. This can help protect your basement from flooding when the snow starts to melt next spring. If your fall preparation finds you making any major changes to your property, be sure to reach out one of our licensed brokers at Pacific Insurance to make sure you have the coverage you need during and after your renovations.