Five Essential Steps to Proper Fall Home Prep

Fall is essentially a dress rehearsal for the Winter season to come. Cooler temps and changes in weather patterns can pose plenty of challenges for your home if you're not prepared. Keep reading for our 5 essential steps to proper Fall home prep!

1: Check - and Tune Up - Your Heating and Cooling Systems  Making sure your heating system is in proper working order is a must. Trust us - you don't want to wait until the middle of November to discover your heater is having issues! Give your heating system a test run as soon as possible to make sure it's working right. This will give you plenty of time to call a tech for a tune up, or replace a malfunctioning system, if needed.

2: Change Your Air Filters  Ideally, you should be changing your HVAC air filters every 90 days. This means the start of each season is an ideal time to switch them out! Clogged filters can strain your system just as much as improperly sealed windows or doors. If your air filters haven't been changed in a while, set aside some time to change them. Your HVAC system will thank you

3: Give Your Gutters a Thorough Cleaning  As Fall rolls in, falling leaves and other debris can clog your gutter system big time. Clogged gutters are an eyesore, but the issues they cause don't end there. They can also cause serious water damage to the foundation of your home if left untreated. Get ahead of all that gnarly mess and give your gutters a good cleaning at least twice during the season.

4: Rake Up Fallen Leaves  Clusters of colorful fallen leaves scattered through the yard can be pretty to look at. Leave them too long, or let them pile up, and you're inviting unwelcome guests into your home. Bugs, snakes, and other creepy crawlies love hiding in leaves. Raking leaves and making sure they're properly disposed of keeps your yard looking nice, and it helps keep pests out of your home!

5: Seal Your Doors and Windows  Drafty doors and windows can be a big problem when colder air begins rolling in. Chilly drafts completely negate the effects of your heating system, but that's not the only issue. They also raise the cost of your energy bill considerably and put strain on your HVAC system, as it must now work harder to pump out more heat to counter the cold air seeping in. Avoid drafts - caulk or weatherstrip any doors or windows that need the attention. It helps more than you know!