It’s Time for Fall Maintenance

As long as you are in the shed or the garage to get the rake these days, you may want to gather a few extra tools to help you with the maintenance that should be done in and around your home every fall. Preventative maintenance for your home will help keep you and your family cozy during those chilly days and nights ahead and will help protect your investment in your home. Here are some things you should be working on as the days get shorter:  

Check roof insulation How much roof insulation do you have? Heat rises, so your home's most likely area to release heat is the roof. The most efficient way to stop that loss is by ceiling and roof insulation with an R-value of approximately 49. The R-value is the ability of any material to resist the passage of heat. For example, a fiberglass bat or blanket 9 1/2 to 10 inches thick has an R-value of approximately 30. You can raise that number to 38 simply by adding two or three more inches of fiberglass. Local home builders recommend you work toward an R-value of 50.  

Fill the gaps Heated air also can escape from gaps that develop where building materials meet. Look for signs where building materials have pulled apart and caulk or seal the gaps. Check areas where exterior siding meets windows and doors, along the roof and foundation lines, around chimneys and where pipes protrude through walls or roofs.

Inspect heating system Consider replacing an older or inefficient heating unit with a gas or oil furnace or a heat pump with a high efficiency rating. If you currently have an efficient system, inspect and clean it now. Be sure that your filters are clean and remember to change them monthly.  

Grab a sweater Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. Consider replacing an existing thermostat with a model that you can set to turn down the heat while you sleep or when you are not at home.  

Check windows Be sure you have good storm windows and doors. Look for any cracks around glass, sashes and window frames that could be leaking air. Depending on the age of your windows, you may need to apply adhesive foam weather strips to top and bottom window rails or nail felt weather stripping where window sashes and frames make contact. If you live in a home built in the last decade, you are likely to have double or triple-paned windows and low-emissivity (Low-E) glass. Both these products increase your energy efficiency and can lower your energy bills.  

Clean gutters and downspouts Even though gutters and downspouts don't affect your energy bills directly, they should be checked at least twice a year (more often if you have large trees in your yard). Gutters and downspouts are traps for falling leaves and pine needles, and squirrels can use them as pantries for storing winter food. Be sure to clean gutters thoroughly, and pay special attention to elbows and bends in the downspouts. Keep hangers fastened securely. Plug any holes and cracks. Repaint rusting components inside and out with rustproof paint.  

Routine maintenance is important and well worth your time and effort to keep energy bills low, protect your investment, keep your family safe, and protect the materials that your house is built from so they last a long time.  

This article has been provided by the MBA, a non-profit and non-partisan association which represents the building industry in the metropolitan Milwaukee area. The MBA develops and offers education for consumers as well as members. By establishing business ethics and industry standards, the MBA has earned a reputation as a trusted resource. Consumers enjoy our promotions for housing and housing products, while members take part in our professional and social activities throughout the year.

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