Home Maintenance Tasks That Should be Done in November
Good news: it’s November! Bad news: December is coming around the corner! December welcomes cold weather, snow, and shorter days. However, is your home prepared for the winter season? If not, this month is the best time to maintain your home. But what should you do to prepare for old man winter?
- Weatherproof the house – Take a look around baseballs, wall/ceiling junctures, windows and doors, lighting fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets. See if there are any cracks that would let your heat escape and allow the cold air come in. To spot big cracks in the places, turn off your lights in your place and ask a friend to shine a bright flashlight around the doors and windows. If you see the light peeping through, you have a big crack. To find smaller cracks, light a candle or incense stick and pass it around the potential areas. If you see the flame or smoke making waves, then you found a leak. If you find any leaks, you can seal gaps with caulk. For bigger cracks, call your handyman and have him install weather stripping.
- Service the HVAC system – You want to make sure your heating system is running during the cold winter season while saving money on your energy bills. You yourself can unclog and clean the HVAC grills in a dishwasher (however, we recommend doing this WITHOUT any dishes in the washer). You should also dust around the HVAC system as well as change the filters every couple of months. However once in a while, you might want to hire an HVAC expert to inspect and tune up your system. They will be able to check the controls, lubricate moving parts, and make sure that there is no carbon monoxide leaking out.
- Clean dead leaves – Not only are dead leaves on your lawn are an eyesore, but they can also kill your lawn! So how do we tackle this? Rake your dead leaves and bag them to be removed!
- Clean patio furniture – Got dirt and grime on your patio furniture? Now is the best time to clean them or else in the spring time they will be frozen on and much more difficult to remove. A simple bucket of water with soap and a scrubber can do the trick or run a power washer onto the furniture for a quick clean. Make sure everything is painted and clean.
- Secure your home from pests – Just like you, critters like rodents and bugs want to be in a warm environment. Your attic is the perfect winter retreat for them. Check to see if the roof tiles are damaged, if the attic vent is damaged, or if there are any holes in the house that would be flashing a “welcome” sign to unwanted guests. If you do happen to find any holes or entrances for critters, you can hire a reliable handyperson or painter that can patch your home’s exterior. That is, unless you really want your unwelcomed guests to live with you and your family.
Now if you follow the list, your winter season will be nice and cozy with very little hiccups down the road. For more tips and information, visit us at Mortgages For Champions or contact us at 973-577-7008.