Fall is an important time to maintain your GUTTERS, especially if you have many deciduous trees around your home.  Your gutters can become clogged with leaves allowing water to spill over and pool at your foundation, walkways and sidewalks. This can cause damage as the temperatures decline and the water freezes. It is a good idea to clean your gutters several times during the fall.

Fall is a perfect time to maintain your DECK. As you move your furniture into winter storage, you can pressure wash your deck and apply a fresh coat of sealer to the surface. This will greatly increase the life of your deck and help keep it looking new. There are many new products on the market so check with your paint store for the best choice for your specific conditions. Sikkens, Cabot and Benjamin Moore are some of our favorite choices. 

Your WINDOWS and DOORS are the main cause for loss of heat during the cold months. Fall is a good time to check your windows and doors for drafts. Clean all the window seals and remove any debris that might have accumulated throughout the year. You can use heavy curtains or drapes to help block any air infiltration you find. Assure that your doors close tightly and there are no drafts coming in from the bottom or around the frame.

Now is a good time to check and clean your FIREPLACE and CHIMNEY. Some people use their fireplace as their main source of heat during the cold months, so it is important to clean any ashes that remain and check that your damper is operating correctly. If you have not had your chimney professionally cleaned in the last year or two, it is a good idea to have a professional come and access it –it could be time to have it done again.

RECORD KEEPING. Keep detailed records when you have had your appliances and mechanicals cleaned and serviced. Just as you get an oil change on your car every 3000 miles, it is equally important to service and maintain the appliances and mechanicals in your home. This will prolong their life and alert you if something needs addressing before it becomes an emergency situation.