September Home Maintenance
The days are getting increasingly cooler, the kids are back at school and the long sleeves are coming out of annual retirement. With the changing season comes a whole new list of fall home maintenance and improvement projects for homeowners to complete. And while plenty of these jobs involve work outside of the home, there’s also a handful of interior fall home jobs that homeowners should look into as well. Consider this transitional season a time to evaluate some crucial aspects of your home’s interior so that it will be clean, comfortable and protected during the long winter. Read on to learn about three things we think you should start prioritizing as part of your September home maintenance projects.
HVAC Repair and Maintenance
Having your HVAC system tuned up and optimized towards the end of the fall is an excellent way to prepare for the colder months. Winter is a very taxing season for your HVAC system; having it serviced around this time can lead to more efficient use and a longer lifespan for the unit. Because HVAC service technicians can get busy during the winter months responding to last-minute calls, it’s important to be proactive in the mid- to late fall. Homeservice Club’s HVAC heating and cooling experts will fully inspect your unit and recommend any repairs to ensure your system is in proper working order.
Our Worry-Free Warranty Plans are designed to cover repairs or replacement parts for your air conditioner, furnace, 5 major appliances or combination therein for one low all encompassing annual fee.
Choose from one of four plans Here or contact us
Vent and Duct Cleaning
Because so much of an HVAC is hidden behind walls out of sight, it can be difficult to know when to clean your air ducts or if it’s even worth it. Autumn is an ideal time to ensure your system is cleaned, as the colder seasons means more time indoors. For this reason, ensuring your ducts are supplying clean air is a worthwhile precaution to take. It’s important to remember that a thorough, professional vent and duct cleaning involves addressing the cleanliness of the system as a whole.
Elsewhere, having your dryer vents cleaned can help improve the lifespan and effectiveness of your unit. From a safety standpoint, clean dryer vents also reduce the possibility of dryer fires. The most telltale signs that a dryer vent needs cleaning are:
- Clothes are not completely dry after a regular cycle
- Excessive lint and debris in the trap and in the dryer
- The unit gets unusually hot during operation
Sealing the Home Against Critters and Vermin
If there is a way for mice, rats, squirrels, bats, raccoons and/or insects to get into your home, they will most certainly find it. This reality is especially true as fall wears on and temperatures continue to drop. Most of these animals only need the tiniest amount of room to infiltrate your home and take up residence. Don’t let your home become a prime target for this cold weather invasion. The entry points of most concern range from the obvious to the out-of-the-way:
- Attics, Chimneys and Roofs
- Windows and Doors
- Under Sinks and Around Drains
- Radiators
- Foundations and Basements
The most effective way to keep vermin such as mice, rats and squirrels out is to seal any gaps or cracks with wood, shingles, siding, caulking, weather stripping or even steel wool. Keep places like basements clean and dry, as many types of vermin are attracted to warm, wet, cluttered environments where they can hide. As for the rest of the home, keep food sealed and in cupboards, dispose of garbage regularly and keep the house clean. If rodents, insects and other creatures find a way in despite your best efforts, connect with a pest control expert right away.
When it comes to seasonal home maintenance tasks, it’s important to be proactive. Getting ahead of potential issues by completing these interior fall tasks can result in a clean, efficient home in the long run.
