Snow in September!? Denver’s snow came early this year, several weeks before we usually expect flurries to hit the ground. It’s time to switch gears and get our homes inspected to make sure we are ready for harsher weather.
Extreme weather can cause major damage to your home if not properly prepared for. Here are some tips on prepping your home this fall to protect it from deteriorating, increase it’s energy efficiency and save you money on bills in the long-term.
Fall is the perfect time for a home inspector to locate your home’s cold spots and drafts revealed by the cooler temperatures. Also, completing the inspection early allows time for booking maintenance appointments before the winter weather and winter price hikes set in.
Some items you can address on your own, the rest you can have your home inspector look over during their inspection. Home inspectors can do an assessment of your home’s condition and recommend what maintenance your appliances need and on what time frame.
Do a walk through and check the following items
Windows and Doors: check weather-stripping along windows and doors for cold drafts.
Radiator: Check to see if your radiator is blocked by any furniture.
Registers and air filters: Open up registers to look for blockage, clean or change air filters.
Hoses and Sprinkler systems: To prevent pipe freezing, disconnect your garden hose from the faucet and have your sprinkler system blown out.
A/C Unit: Cover your unit to protect it from ice, snow and damage from the elements.
Gutters and Downspouts: Remove debris from gutters and check to see if downspouts are clear and that snowmelt will flow away from your home’s foundation.
Have you home inspector advice you on maintenance for the following
Furnace: Check your filter to see if it needs replacement. Operate the furnace to ensure that it's working properly, and schedule an annual service from and HVAC specialist if a service has not recently been done.
Boiler: Have your inspector check the insulation around the pipes. They can recommend when you should schedule your yearly servicing.
Gas/propane: Checking the valves with a bubble test for leakage.
Fireplace: Checking for creosote buildup, making sure the damper can properly open and close, then close the damper to prevent warm air from escaping when not in use. When to get the chimney cleaned in fall before rates increase in winter.
Sump pump: Have your home inspector advise you on whether your pump is susceptible to freezing in winter.
Water heater: Flushing your system to drain any build up in the tank.
Insulation: Have your home inspector check crawl spaces and attics for cold seepage and insulation failure.
Evaporative Cooler: Have your home inspector advise you on winterizing this system before the first freeze to prevent damage.
The importance of having a professional home inspector reviewing your home is their years of experience and expertise on what to spend money on and when. They’ll help you create a schedule and plan for home maintenance for the next few years. Over time, this can have a huge impact on your comfort during winter, increase your home’s overall energy efficiency and will save you money in the long term. Having an inspector assess your home early for winter ensures that you won’t have to wait days in a cold before you can get an appointment with a technician.