Fall is officially here, which means now is the best time to get your home ready for the colder weather. From wrapping your pipes to clearing your gutters, it’s important to conduct maintenance around your house to prevent disasters like burst pipes and ice dams that could cost an arm and a leg to fix.
The good news is that prepping your home for winter doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are three ways you can save money while getting your home ready to take on the cold.
Peform basic maintenance on your furnace
Furnaces last on average between 15 to 18 years, and they require regular maintenance to stay in good shape. However, you may not need to call in a professional unless your furnace needs a repair.
If all you’re doing is conducting basic maintenance on your furnace, you may be able to do it yourself. Of course, you’ll need to reserve some time to inspect and clean your furnace, so if you do decide to DIY your maintenance, be sure to take the time out of your schedule to do a thorough job.
Routine maintenance ensures that small problems don’t become major disasters later on. If you notice any issues that go beyond a DIY project, be sure to contact a professional.
Use a roof brush to keep your roof clear of debris
While metal roofs often last 50 years or more with proper maintenance, your roof ought to be inspected about once or twice a year. Still, a lot can happen in between those inspections. During the fall, it’s not unusual for leaves to fall onto your roof and into your gutter system.
But when these leaves and other debris are left on your roof and in your gutter, they can cause water to back up and sit on your roof. This can cause anything from leaks to mold to ice dams. Use a roof brush to keep leaves and debris off of your roof to prevent these issues from causing costly damage.
Update your home security to prevent package thieves
It’s true that home security is necessary year-round; a burglary happens in the U.S. every 15.4 seconds. But the risk of being targeted by package thieves increases during the holiday season.
To prevent porch robberies and other burglaries, make sure that your home security system is in good shape, your software is up-to-date, and batteries are regularly charged. Don’t assume your packages are safe if you live in one of the 43.1 million apartments in the U.S., either.
If you don’t have a security or surveillance system, or one isn’t in your budget right now, consider keeping tabs on your packages with the UPS app and other mail tracking methods. If you know a friend will be home when you need the package delivered, consider asking if you can send the package to their house to ensure your purchases stay secure.
You don’t need to dig into your savings to get your home ready to take on the winter months. By following the tips above, your home and appliances will be more than ready for ice and snow.
