Fall Home Maintenance: Prepping for the Cold

Autumn is your last chance to prep before colder weather arrives. Focus on safety, heating, and insulation.

What to Focus On:

• Chimney & Fireplace Cleaning: Schedule a professional chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote buildup. This reduces the risk of fires.

• Flush Water Heater: Sediment buildup in your tank lowers efficiency. Draining a few gallons from the tank can help.

• Test Safety Devices: Replace batteries in smoke and CO detectors. Test alarms to ensure they’re working.

• Weatherstripping: Check seals around windows and doors to keep warm air in and cold air out.

• Gutter Check: Falling leaves clog gutters fast. Make it a habit to clean them weekly in heavy foliage areas.

Extra Tip:

Stock up on winter essentials like salt, ice melt, and emergency supplies now—before the first freeze.