Turning leaves, crisp morning air, and fungi popping everywhere.
Ah, yes! Fall is just around the corner. In Denver, that means snowfall will soon arrive and it’s time to get your home ready for the cold winter weather ahead.
As a homeowner, you should take advantage of this season to do an early check and maintenance of your property before the cold sets in. Over time, changing weather can cause issues that when not detected and fixed early on, can cause serious problems.
So, how do you make your home ready for the cold months ahead?
Give Trees Some TLC
Fall is a good opportunity to trim tree branches, keeping them a good 8-10 feet away from your roofline. That way, they don’t cause damage to your roofing due to moisture, windy conditions, and pests getting access through the branches.
Remove dead and fallen trees. Don’t invite nasty insects and disease into your gorgeous yard by leaving fallen trees and branches laying and decaying on the ground.
Now, If you feel you would be needing professional trimmers to do the job, please do get help. Your trees would thank you for that.
Clear Out
Gutters are your first line of defense against water that may run and seep into your home. Cleaning out the gutter from debris and leaves that can clog it will help keep it safe from potential damage.
Again, a professional can do the dirty job for you. However, if you rather handle it yourself, then feel free to do so but keep safety first. Make sure you have gloves, safety goggles, a sturdy ladder, and a buddy to help you.
Using a garden trowel, remove debris from the gutter trough. Be careful not to damage the gutter. Flush the cleared gutter and wash out small debris with water. That will also allow you to check how the water is draining from the gutter.
If water seems to get trapped, your downspout may be clogged. Declog it using a pressure nozzle, spraying the inside from the base at full pressure. For stubborn clogs, you may use a plumber’s snake instead.
Check the Attic
The attic is the least visited part of the house. A routine inspection at least once a year is necessary to ensure you keep it well-maintained and safe. A professional should be able to help you fix any issues you may find upon inspection.
So what tell-tale signs you should look for?
Check for any lesions or cracks. During the day, check if there are streams of light that you can see through the cracks and crevices. These cracks can cause serious issues down the road or may already indicate a problem needing attention such as your home’s foundation or decaying wood.
Next, check for signs of leakage and moisture at the ceiling that can lead to the growth of mold. Then check for signs of critters and bugs infestation. Droppings should indicate that these critters are inhabiting your attic. And lastly, look for signs of mice, ants, and termites infestation.
Did you find anything problematic about your attic? Then you should go ahead and call your trusted professional immediately before things get worse.
Early detection and prevention is key to keeping your property weatherproof, safe and looking good for years to come. So, make sure you have ticked off all the items on your fall maintenance checklist. The holidays are more enjoyable when you have peace of mind.
Blow Out the Sprinkler System
Most homeowners in Denver prefer to have their sprinkler systems winterized by professionals. But if you know you can and you’d like to do it yourself, this guide will help you out; after all, it is nice to save a few extra bucks right before the holidays of winter!
Are there special tools necessary? Nope, just the regular home air compressor, air hose and a quick-connect hose adapter and you’re ready to go; without the help of a professional.
Simply turn the water supply off and set the air pressure based on the material of the sprinkler hoses. Then pick a sprinkler hose zone and open the drain valve to release the stored water on that area. Connect the air compressor’s head unto the hose and the sprinkler heads should blow out the water. After it’s drained, disconnect the air compressor from the hose and pick another area.
Make sure to do this zone by zone so the sprinkler systems are thoroughly drained out. It’s the best way to do it since not even the biggest air compressor in Denver is enough to blow out an entire sprinkler system at once. It may take some time to do but just think of how much effort, time and money you saved on winterizing your sprinkler system! Winter may end but your sprinkler system will be a joy to turn on again.
Needing to buy or sell a home in Denver? Raj is a real estate professional. Don’t hesitate to drop him a line today.
How did you like the article? Do you have suggestions to add to our Fall Maintenance Checklist?