As the crisp autumn breeze sweeps through the Rocky Mountains and the leaves begin to turn brilliant shades of red and gold, it's time for homeowners in Colorado to shift their focus towards fall home maintenance. Colorado's diverse fall climate, with its dramatic temperature swings and occasional snowfall, presents unique challenges for homeowners. To ensure your home remains cozy, safe, and energy-efficient throughout the fall and winter, it's essential to perform a few key maintenance tasks.
Drain Exterior Water Lines
One of the most common sources of property damage in the fall? Frozen pipes. Too often, the first few sub-freezing nights of the season catch homeowners by surprise. When pipes are full of water and the water freezes, the pipes can burst, causing water damage within the home. These temperatures can also do expensive damage to sprinkler systems. Drain all exterior water lines and store hoses before temperatures drop.
Clear Gutters and Downspouts
Colorado's autumn season often brings heavy rain and the potential for early snowfall. It's crucial to ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris, leaves, and twigs. Clogged gutters and grading issues can lead to water collecting around the foundation of your home. This may result in flooding, water damage, and foundation issues during the winter months.
Make sure water can flow freely away from your home to prevent costly repairs down the road. Now is also a great time to stock up on snow removal equipment like shovels and snowblowers. Moving snow away from your home before it starts to melt can help prevent water damage.
Mind the Gaps
In Colorado, fall comes with sudden temperature drops — often when we least expect them. Early in the season, inspect the weatherstripping and caulking around the windows and doors of your home. Even the smallest cracks can allow for drafts that will lead to energy waste as you heat your home. Tending to these gaps and cracks will also help prevent pests from finding their way into your home when colder weather sets in.
Before the first snowfall hits, inspect your roof for any missing or damaged shingles. Making all necessary repairs to your roof before the extreme weather ensues can save you the headache of dealing with leaks.
Prepare Your Heating System
The best time to call in an HVAC technician for inspections and repairs is before you desperately need your heat! Prevent inconvenient heating breakdowns, save on your energy bill, and keep your family healthy with proper servicing of your heating system. This can include cleaning ducts, replacing filters, and changing the batteries in your thermostat. If part of your home’s climate control routine involves lighting a fire, take time to clean out your chimney and stock up on firewood.
Ensuring the safety, comfort, and efficiency of your home takes preparation in an unpredictable state like Colorado! By taking the time to inspect and prepare your home for the upcoming season, you can enjoy a cozy, worry-free winter in one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. If you have any questions about preparing your home for the colder months ahead, I’m happy to help. Give me a call at 719-337-7254 or 720-498-9592.
