Exterior Home Improvement Lansing MI
Roofing CompanyGutters and Gutter Guards • Siding • Windows and Doors • Insulation
| Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM
Exterior Home Improvement Lansing MI
Roofing CompanyGutters and Gutter Guards • Siding • Windows and Doors • Insulation
| Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

Fall home maintenance tasks to prepare your home for Winter

Use these must-do fall maintenance tips to keep your house in shape and help keep you warm this winter.

1.Gutters
Clean out your gutters and downspouts. Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris. Consider installing gutter covers to prevent leaves and debris from clogging your gutters. Clogged gutters are one of the major causes of ice dams.

Inspect your gutters for damages. Flush them with water, inspect joints, and tighten brackets. Make sure rainfall can easily flow through to avoid water damage to your roof. Replace old or damaged gutters with new ones.

2. Inspect your roof
If you have an older roof, we suggest hiring a licensed professional to examine your roof for wear and tear. If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, they need to be replaced. If you have a lot of damage, it’s time to replace the entire roof.

A professional can also check the flashing around skylights, pipes and chimneys. If you have any leaks or gaps, heavy snow and ice will find its way in.

3. Inspect your Fireplace
It is always nice to have a fire during the colder months but make sure your wood-burning fireplace is inspected, cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

4. Alarms
While you are at it, check carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms and put in fresh batteries.

5. Insulation
Fall is the perfect month to get your home checked for any energy leaks. Avoid a large heating bill and cold home by getting your home properly insulated. A professional can also check for any ventilation blockages that can lead to moisture problems.

6. Plants
Fall is the perfect time to divide or move perennials. Remove dead annuals and mulch hardy perennials. Annuals typically die when temperatures drop below freezing. Perennials may appear as though they too have died but usually it is just the top growth. In most cases the root bulb is hardy enough to survive even extreme temperatures, especially if it’s covered with a layer of mulch.

The best time to mulch perennials is after the first hard freeze. Just make sure you don’t cover the crown or center of the plant, because that can lead to rot.

7. Garden
Put the raked leaves in the compost pile or use as a mulch. You can add them to flower beds to put a winter blanket on your garden.

8. Bring in Outdoor Items
Clean and store summer garden tools. Pack up all outdoor furniture and décor. Organize your garage. Prepare your yard equipment for storage. This includes draining fuel from all gas-operated equipment such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws.

9. Trees
Trim dead branches out the trees to prevent them from coming down and causing damage in a winter storm.

10. Outdoor Winterizing
Drain garden hoses and store them inside. Also shut off outdoor water valves in cold weather. Any water left in exterior pipes and faucets can freeze and expand breaking the pipes.

 

Streamline Enterprises is located in Lansing, Michigan and have been providing the surrounded areas with quality exterior home improvement services since 1998. They can help prepare your home for winter by installing new gutters, gutter covers or repairs to your roof. They can also provide an infrared scan of your home to determine where you are losing heat and make the best recommendation for your home and budget. Contact Streamline Enterprises for additional information on their products and services.

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