Fall is the perfect time to start preparing your house for winter and the cold weather ahead. Here are a few things that you should be doing to make sure your home is ready for the changing temperatures. 

1. Clean Your Gutters Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris so water doesn't pool and cause damage to your home. 
   
   
2. Test Your Smoke Alarm & Carbon Dioxide Detector They should be tested every 6 months to make sure they are still operating properly and are not too old (10 years is the lifetime of most smoke/CO2 detectors). A good rule of thumb is to test them whenever you change your clocks.
3. Maintain Your Home's Heating System Make sure your filters are being replaced regularly and schedule a service check if you are due or haven't done one in a while. Make sure your heating system is ready to get you through the cold winter months without issues. 
   
   
4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans Reversing the rotation of your ceiling fans to turn clockwise makes heating your home more efficient. 
   
   
5. Fireplace Maintenance If you have a fireplace, schedule a chimney sweep to make sure your fireplace is clean and ready to go this winter. Also, make sure to check your flue and vents before using the fireplace for the first time. 
   
   
6. Check For Leaks and Water Damage Give your home a good look over to make sure there are no leaks, potential leaks, or water damage that you may have missed. Make sure to look thoroughly at your roof and attic to make sure there are no problems. 
   
   
7. Drain Your Hot Water Heater Draining your hot water heater helps flush sediment and debris which can cause your hot water heater to work less efficiently. Draining the hot water heater yearly may help your system last longer as well.
   
   
8. Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets Close off shut-off valves for outside faucets and fully drain the line of all water so they don't freeze and burst when the temperature drops. Consider using a cover on outdoor faucets. And don't forget to empty your garden hoses and store them away for the winter.

As always, if you have questions about any of these tips or if you are looking for a professional to help you with any of these services, our team would be glad to help. Just give us a call at (434) 214-6121 to chat about your home ownership questions.