UPDATED: Prepare Your Home for Fall

Custom House Build in King Edward Park (Edmonton)

Fall is here! Although we are enjoying really nice weather for October here in Alberta, it is inevitable the cooler days are coming. Shorter days, fall colours emerging and spooky season decorations galore all mean that it’s time to prepare your home for the months ahead. Fall home maintenance, if you will.

There can be many tasks around the home when it comes to fall maintenance but for this post, we have curated a list of four tasks that we think are of high importance. Grab some sort of writing utensil and start your Fall Home Maintenance To-Do list! Let’s get to it…

1. Clean Those Eavestroughs
Otherwise known as gutters, eavestroughs are designed to collect the water that runs off your roof and direct it away from your home. Any clogging of your rainwater drainage system could potentially cause exterior damage (rot, settlement, foundation issues) and even interior flooding (rotten fascia boards, walls and ceilings, wet basement).

Cleaning eavestroughs approximately twice a year (usually in the fall and late spring) is recommended. Leaves are the main offender for clogged gutters so waiting until those pesky leaves have fallen will save you multiple trips up the ladder. Removing leaves and other debris will also deter small animals and birds from getting comfortable in the gutters and roof.

2. Inspect That Roof
Speaking of roofs, grab your binoculars and take a peek up on the rooftop! Look out for loose, cracked or missing shingles, rust spots on flashing or cosmetic issues such as algae or lichen. Inspecting your roof once a year could help you plan in advance for any necessary repairs.

Building Envelope Repair in Edmonton

3. Clean and Inspect That Furnace
If you have a service agreement with your HVAC provider, then now is the time to schedule a full tune-up. You do not want to wait until the cold air hits to ensure that your furnace is working efficiently so at the very least, clean or replace the filter. To note, It is best practice to do that on a monthly basis anyhow.

4. Check Those Doors and Windows
Windows and doors can account for up to 25% of total heat loss in a house, according to Natural Resources Canada’s “Keeping The Heat In’. Reducing air leakage not only provides comfort to those inside the home, it protects the building envelope from potential moisture damage.

Inspect doors and windows for any sign of rot, mould or staining. Inspect the weather stripping which to be effective, must not allow air to pass through. While replacing weather stripping is the most cost effective way to eliminate drafts windows and doors, you might consider upgrading to more energy efficient models. This would ensure maximum home comfort but could save on those heating bills too.

It’s also a good idea to check other entry points (electrical, cable, phone and gas) and eliminate any drafts if and when you detect them.

Although these tasks are relatively easy, hiring a professional can be worth the expense. They will certainly have in depth knowledge for specific issues and years of experience that will help correct a potential problem at the source. But whether you take these on yourself or hire a skilled trade, checking these maintenance items off early will help prevent bigger issues later in the colder season.

Happy Fall!