Yes, it’s true – the warm, sunny afternoons of fall are numbered. And just as you carve pumpkins and stock up on Halloween candy, it’s also time to turn your attention to all those outdoor chores that need to get done.
We’ve here to help with our monthly home maintenance tips that’ll have you ready to enjoy the holidays. Take a look at what to do for October:
Adjust thermostats. If you have a programmable thermostat for your heating and air conditioning system, reprogram the settings to accommodate cooler temperatures and your family’s preferences and lifestyle.
Check sprinklers. For those with automatic sprinkler systems, reset the timers as needed for your fall watering needs.
Detach hoses. Make sure you’ve detached (and cleaned out, if needed) your outdoor garden hoses from all water faucets – especially before any hard freezes.
Secure your paint. If you store your paints, caulks and other liquid materials in a garage or outdoor shed, transfer them to a warmer storage space during the winter.
Check gauges and detectors. Make sure the gauges on your home fire extinguishers are properly working and in full charge. Also, make sure your fire alarms are in working order, and replace batteries if necessary.
Prep windows. Take a look at the weather-stripping around your windows and doors to ensure they are in good condition, and replace if needed. Check and repair the caulking in your exterior joints around windows and doors as well. Proper caulking can help keep that cold air out and lower your heating bills.
Clean gutters. Once your leaves have fallen, clean out those gutters. If you have a yard full of trees, you may need to do this multiple times. Double check your downspouts to make sure they are functioning properly, and repair as necessary. Remove sticks and other debris that might clog your drains.
Change filters. Make sure your heating and air system has fresh and clean filters (you should really be doing this on a monthly basis). And as always, if you haven’t scheduled a system tune-up, give us a call at (317) 585-8981. We’ll get your system ready for winter.
