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Fall is finally here and with it comes cozy sweaters, fuzzy blankets, pumpkin spice lattes, and the crackle of your fireplace. However, before you can settle down to enjoy the changing of the seasons, there are a few projects to complete, so you can enjoy fall and winter without any worries.
We’ve compiled a list of the most important maintenance projects to complete before the last leaf falls. Keep reading for more information, and as always, give us a call if you need any assistance.
Water Heater
There’s nothing worse than coming home after a long day of work and craving a hot and steamy shower, only to step in and find that the water is ice cold. There are several reasons why your water heater might have suddenly failed you including:
The pilot light or power source is out
Too much sediment in the tank
The temperature on the thermostat is too low
There is a water leak either in the hose, the tank, or the pipes
But one way to make sure you don’t encounter this issue is by performing regular maintenance on the unit.
Clear Your Gutters
Your home’s gutters are probably the last thing on your mind most of the time, but they play an incredibly important role in keeping your home safe and well protected from water damage. Your gutters are designed to catch rainwater from your roof and carry it down the downspout and away from the foundation of your home.
Gutters also make a great catch basin for leaves, sticks, and other debris, especially in fall when the leaves are falling. This is why it’s important to clean your gutters out every once in a while to make sure that water has an unobstructed path from your roof to the ground.
If your gutters aren’t cleared out, the debris can cause the water to overflow, forcing water to run down the sides of your home, which can lead to water damage over time.
Insulate Your Pipes
There are a few reasons you should insulate your pipes in various locations throughout your home.
It will keep your pipes from freezing. Any exterior pipes that you have should be insulated in order to prevent heat loss, but most importantly, it will keep your pipes from freezing and potentially bursting.
Prevents heat loss. When you turn your hot water faucet on, hot water doesn’t immediately come pouring out. This is because the hot water has to travel from your water heater, through the pipes, and finally to your hot water faucet. During this journey, there’s actually quite a bit of heat that’s lost through the pipes, and a way to limit this heat loss is by adding insulation! It’s also a good idea to wrap your water heater tank in insulation.
Fix the Leaks
Did you know that the average family household wastes about 180 gallons of water per week or 9,400 gallons of water annually because of leaks in their home?
Fixing leaks is important, not only in the fall, but all year long and you should really try to repair them as quickly as you notice them in order to prevent water waste, water damage, and high water bills.
As you begin preparing your home for fall, if you notice anything that seems like a bigger project than you’re ready to take on, contact our team! We would be happy to help get your home ready for the cooler temperatures. You can reach us either by giving us a call at (503) 342-7782 or by visiting our website.