When you live in a region with summers as beautiful as the Pacific Northwest, accepting the onset of Fall can be a bit of a challenge. But September is here, which means kids are heading back to school, Starbucks is serving Pumpkin Spice everything, and there is a short list of chores you need to complete to be ready for cooler (and wetter) days ahead!
Clean Your Gutters
Unless you have gutters with guards on them, tree debris will end up filling those up and causing issues when the rain rolls in. Keeping those free from leaves, needles, and branches will ensure that water moves off of your roof the way it was designed to.
Check Your Insulation
Insulation will ensure that your home stays warm after your heating solution does all the work to get it there. Adding insulation can save your energy bill but be sure not to add too much or the moisture that naturally enters the air when you shower and cook could create issues.
Clean the Chimney
If you have a fireplace that will get us this winter, be sure to have a professional chimney sweep out to remove any creosote to keep the ventilation working appropriately and your air clean.
Protect Pipes
Drain and wrap pipes – especially outdoor pipes like those meant for sprinklers – to prevent them from freezing and possibly bursting.
Inspect Your Heaters
Our favorite chore of all! Don’t wait until winter to make sure your heater still works well. Fall is a perfect time to schedule maintenance to clean furnaces, boilers, radiators, and heat pumps and to have them inspected for anything that could reduce their efficiency.
