We are in the midst of fall and Minnesota-winter is coming sooner than we would like! It is a good idea to take advantage of the mild temperatures by scheduling routine home maintenance and repairing outdoor damage before the first frost. Although the laundry list can seem overwhelming, it is easy to manage if spread over a few weeks. These home inspector bloomington mn maintenance tips will help keep your home in shape.
Exterior Maintenance
- To prevent heat from escaping, check the foundation of your home for cracks. These cracks can become frozen if water gets in. It is possible to save money by keeping your home’s exterior clean and performing inexpensive maintenance.
- Install storm windows and doors by removing window screens. Weather-stripping and caulking should be installed around windows and doors in order to reduce drafts and lower heating bills.
- Check for missing or damaged shingles to make sure your roof is in top shape. Roofs can be damaged by wind, rain, snow and ice, as well as rapidly changing temperatures and humidity in Minnesota. Your home’s first defense is its roof. Water damage can happen if your roof isn’t working properly. Water damage can occur to insulation, wood, and drywall. This can lead to vulnerabilities in the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. It is better to address roof problems early in the season than wait for a snowstorm to cause damage. To ensure safety, have a certified, licensed roofing professional inspect your roof.
- To prevent drafts from occurring and keep small animals out, make sure that the garage door is sealed tightly.
- Check your driveway for cracks. Use driveway filler to repair and clean out cracks. Then, seal the driveway with a commercial sealer.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts after leaves have fallen. Flush them with water and inspect the joints. If necessary, tighten the brackets. Ice dams can be caused by clogged gutters. I recommend that you replace damaged gutters with ones that are equipped with leaf guards.
Garden, Yard & Garage
- Your summer gardening tools should be cleaned and stored.
- Clear the lawn of all leaves, fertilize and reseed any damaged areas. Cover your plants with chicken wire and netting if deer are an issue.
- Drain garden hoses, and place them inside. Winterize your sprinkler system. (Water left in exterior pipes or faucets can freeze, expanding and causing damage to the pipes.
- All gas-operated equipment, such as leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and chainsaws, should be drained of fuel.
- Make sure that your snow equipment is ready for use before the first flurry falls. Organize your snow-clearing gear. You’ll need to have snow shovels, roof brushes and snow blowers ready for when snow arrives.
Deck and Porch
- Make sure to inspect porches and decks for supports, stairs and railings. Check that the handrails are strong enough to support someone falling on snow or ice.
- Make sure to clean your deck and porch furniture. Protect outdoor furniture and grills by covering them with a cover.
- It is important to empty all soil from pots and planters. If you leave soil in clay pots, it will freeze and cause cracks.
Interior Maintenance
- Wash your windows.
- Clean and replace any blown light bulbs.
- You can rent a machine, or hire a professional to clean your carpets.
- Vacuum the coils at the back of the refrigerator.
- Humidifier filters can be cleaned or replaced to ensure that moist air is free from impurities. Filters filter out bacteria and particles from water before it is released into the air. This prevents the air from becoming unhealthy. The ideal humidity level in a home should be around 45%. Anything below 30% is too dry and anything above 50% is too high.
- You can test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is a great time to replace the batteries.
- Vacuum vents and furnace filters should be replaced.
- If necessary, hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney.
Clients are often reminded that homeownership can be both a joyous experience and a significant responsibility. This checklist can be used to eliminate surprises from your property. You can prevent the most serious problems by addressing small to moderate issues.
