With Fall right around the corner take a minute to review our list of cleaning tasks to prepare your home for the colder months ahead.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Gutter cleaning and checking of downspouts are an essential part of regular exterior home maintenance. It will ensure proper flow of water from the roof and the home's foundation and help to prevent wood rot and failure at the fascia boards and body of the house. Once the gutters are cleared of debris you'll want to make sure the downspouts are cleared BEFORE you rinse the gutters. Take a hose and place it into the downspout. Have a helper turn on the water and check for downspout flow. If a clog exists you can gently pass the hose down the downspout to remove it.
Clean Dryer Vent Hose
While regular cleaning of the lint filter on your dryer is very important - it isn't a substitute for a thorough cleaning of the dryer vent hose. Lint is created from the clothes as water is removed during the drying process. This lint will build up all along the dryer vent hose - leading to the danger of fire. The fact that dryers are the number 1 source of fire in the home is good enough reason to put this task high on your priority list.
Fireplace Chimney Inspection
Before the cool, crisp days of fall make cozy evenings in front of the fireplace irresistible, take time to make sure your fireplace is as safe as it is inviting. With an annual fireplace chimney inspection — and possible sweeping — you can improve fireplace performance, and snuff out chimney fire and carbon monoxide concerns. This is a task you'll probably want to leave to the professionals.
Check Caulk Around Windows and Doors
An average home loses up to 30% of its heating and cooling energy through air leaks. The most significant air leaks tend to occur around windows and doors. To stop air leaks and prevent your home heating and cooling dollars from vanishing in the wind, it’s important to seal any air leaks around windows and doors. If you have old windows, caulking and adding new weatherstripping goes a long way toward tightening them up.
Inspect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke and CO2 alarms are such a common presence in our homes that it’s easy to just expect them to work every time. But like many other devices and appliances around the house, smoke detectors require regular cleaning and maintenance to function effectively.
Airborne dust and contaminants can interfere with a smoke alarm’s ability to detect smoke, so make it a point to clean all detectors in your home. Use your vacuum cleaner’s long upholstery wand to clear away any dust or cobwebs that have settled around the detectors, and – if possible – vacuum out the smoke alarms’ interior compartments as well (in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions). Finish off by replacing the batteries and pressing the "test" button.
Stay Safe and Warm with Smart Touch Energy
At Smart Touch Energy, our goal is to keep you comfortable during the coldest months of the year. Whether you need reliable heating oil or propane delivery, or effective oil burner cleaning service - we're here to make it easy. To learn more about our oil and propane service options and discuss the best options for your heating system inspection, contact the Smart Touch support team.
