It might be too early for Santa to make his list and check it twice, but it’s certainly a good time to make a fall maintenance checklist for your home. Keeping on top of fall home maintenance tasks will keep your home in tip-top shape for winter, and we all know that Youngstown winters are no joke. The good news is that you can get prepared now, whether it’s checking your windows for drafts or getting new siding installation in Youngstown or surrounding areas.
The chilly days of fall are settling here in the Valley, and preventative action can help keep you cozy while lowering energy bills. Here’s where to begin.
1. Get Debris out of the Gutters
There is no denying that autumn leaves are beautiful, but the last place you want them is in your gutter system. Leaves can wreak havoc on your home, especially when you add heavy autumn rains and potentially snow into the mix.
If it’s been a while since your gutters were cleaned out, hopefully you won’t find any unpleasant surprises.
2. Evaluate the State of Your Siding
Winter is coming, and this can spell trouble for old wood siding. If your exterior is old, peeling, or even losing its structural strength, you’ll need to take a closer look. Most importantly, evaluate the siding for signs of wood rot. If rotted wood siding remains on your home over the winter, you might have a big mess on your hands come the following spring.
It doesn’t take much to find wood rot on old siding. Simply take a screwdriver and push the tip into areas where you suspect might be rotting. If the tip of the screw easily goes through the wood, this is a sign of decay.
In the worst scenarios, rotting wood siding may crumble away at the touch of a finger.
3. Replace Outdated Windows
If you lose sleep dreading the day you have to turn on the heat, you don’t have to fear high utility bills with new replacement windows. Replacement windows with professional installation keep drafts at bay and saves money, no matter how cold it gets here in Youngstown.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Do You Have Drafty Windows? Here’s How to Tell
- Feel around the edges of the window for any gaps or cracks.
- Look for any signs of water damage around the window frame.
- Listen for any whistling or other noises coming from the window when it’s closed.
- If you have a fireplace, light a fire and see if the smoke is drawn towards the window.
- If you have a digital thermometer, place it near the window and see if the temperature is significantly different from the rest of the room.
When you notice any of these signs, it’s likely that your windows are drafty and need to be repaired or replaced. Drafty windows can result in a lot of energy loss, making your home less comfortable and increasing your energy bills.
We hope that this fall home maintenance checklist is useful for you! To improve your home before bad weather arrives, contact Window Depot Youngstown for quotes on exceptional exterior products. Yes, we can install windows and siding in the winter!
