It's officially Fall, and really what that means is we are just a hop, skip, and jump to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! Wooo, the year is flying by!
As most of the country shifts into September, it signifies the conclusion of summer and the welcoming return of cozy sweater weather, coupled with a touch of pumpkin spice. Prior to the arrival of autumn foliage, it's wise to take a stroll around your home and address a few tasks to ward off any potential cold weather-related issues. These quick, relatively painless actions have the potential to spare you from incurring substantial repair costs in the future as well as lower energy costs.
Clean that siding
As the summer season comes to an end, it's common for your home's siding to accumulate dirt and mildew. September presents a great opportunity to rejuvenate your siding's appearance by using a gentle pressure washer. While cleaning, it's important to thoroughly inspect for any underlying issues such as rotten wood, warped areas, or insufficient caulking that may have deteriorated over time. Pay close attention to the butt joints where two pieces of siding meet - if you notice cracks, consider using high-quality outdoor caulk to address the problem. Your local hardware store can provide you with the right products for this task.
Seal those windows
Double- or triple-pane windows feature a tight seal around their perimeter to separate the individual panes of glass and trap inert gas between them. This design effectively creates a thermal barrier between the inside and outside of your home. If you observe foggy windows, it's often a symptom of a failed seal. Checking your windows' warranty should be your initial course of action in such cases. If your warranty doesn't include a full replacement, exploring the services of a professional window defogging company is an alternative, with costs somewhere around $500 and up.
Add or replace the weatherstripping
When it comes to drafty doors, it's easy to overlook the issue until the chill of winter sets in. However, it's best to replace worn weather stripping before the cold sets in. Consider tackling this on a pleasant September day. While felt or foam weather stripping is cost-effective and simple to apply, it doesn't have a long lifespan. Opting for vinyl, silicone, or metal stripping is likely a better choice. For detailed comparisons of these options, check out the chart available on the U.S. Energy Department website.
Clean out those dryer vents
Cleaning your dryer vents is important for many reasons, like shorter dryer times and lowering your energy bill because when your dryer vents are clogged with lint, it takes longer for your clothes to dry. But more importantly, lowering the risk of dryer fires. Lint is a common ignition source for dryer fires, so keeping your dryer vent free of lint and debris can help prevent fires. Also, by removing dust, allergens, and other pollutants from your dryer vent, it might improve the air quality in your home. If your vent is on the roof like mine, this tool works great! And while you’re up there, you might also check your chimney if you have one. There should be no gaps between the flashing and the chimney.
And finally, have your home serviced for pests, especially around windows and doors. Bugs and spiders will be trying to get in for the winter! You can do this yourself or call a local pest elimination service.
Hope this helps and as always, we are here if you need anything at all, and I hope you take the time to celebrate our beautiful autumn season.
Happy Fall Ya’ll!
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