Montgomery County winters don’t usually deliver much in the way of ice and snow, but in the rare case it comes, you want to be ready. Cooler weather makes autumn an ideal time to tackle fall home maintenance, indoors and out, and to make sure your HVAC system is running right before the first cold snap.
Exterior Tasks
- Inspect your foundation for cracks where masonry meets siding or around entrances for pipes and wires. Seal them with caulk to keep out cold air and moisture.
- Inspect siding for peeling paint. Once the paint starts to peel, the siding or wood underneath will deteriorate. Paint exterior walls if they need it.
- Check the roof for missing or damaged tiles and schedule repairs.
- If you don’t have leaf guards on your rain gutters, clean out the gutters. Repair loose segments.
Interior Tasks
- Check for air leaks around windows, doors and the attic hatch. Seal leaks with weatherstripping or caulk.
- Schedule preventative maintenance for your furnace to be sure it’s working right, and not leaking carbon monoxide.
- Have your home’s ductwork inspected for holes and gaps so your conditioned air is not wasted in crawlspaces or attics. Any holes or loose segments should be repaired with metal tape and sealant.
- If you use a humidifier in winter, be sure you clean it regularly to keep it mold-free.
- Have the HVAC condensate drain checked for obstructions to lower the risk of leaks and flooding.
- Change the direction of your ceiling fan blades to go clockwise so the blades will push down warm air from the ceiling.
Yard and Landscape
- Mulch fallen leaves with a lawnmower rather than bagging them.
- Remove leaves, weeds, debris and overgrown shrubbery from around your outdoor condenser unit. Place a piece of plywood weighted with rocks over the top to keep leaves out, but do not wrap the unit. Moisture can seep inside plastic wrapping and cause rust and structural degradation.
To schedule fall home maintenance in The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia and the surrounding area, contact Bradbury Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning.
