Out and about yesterday, it was hard not to notice that all of our local stores here in Christiansburg - from the grocery store to the hardware store - are stocked up for Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas already. At MacMackin and Son Heritage Home Services, we’ve been busy serving some wonderful home repair and renovation clients this week - completing some decking repairs at Smith Mountain Lake, installing countertops in Salem, and finishing a custom carpentry project in Christiansburg. It’s hard to believe the holidays are already around the corner. But now is a great time to take advantage of the warm autumn here in the New River Valley to get your home ready for autumn and winter season. To help you get started, here’s our basic checklist. As always, give us a call if you’s like a hand tackling regular home maintenance tasks, seasonal or otherwise. Mackmackin & Son Heritage Home Services offers comprehensive home maintenance and renovation services to Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Radford, Roanoke and Salem, and we’re always happy to help. In the meantime, here’s our checklist to make sure you’re winter ready!
Outdoor Maintenance Tasks
Swap your window screens with storm windows if you have them. Even if your home doesn’t have storm widows, removing screens during cooler months when windows will be closed is good practice and will extend their life.
If you rely on or enjoy a wood-burning fireplace or stove in the winter months, have your chimney checked and cleaned. Now is a great time to take care of any repointing required, and make sure you’re ready to get cosy by the fire when the winter rolls in.
Check that you have adequate snow removal tools and supplies for when winter storms roll in, to prevent being stuck at home.
Clean gutters gutters and downspouts to be ready for leaf fall this autumn.
Store patio furniture in the garage or garden shed.
Identify any overhanging trees that could be a risk to your house during extreme weather.
Screen over any intake vents to keep pests away.
Interior Maintenance Tasks
Increase your attic’s insulation or have a professional inspection to reduce heat loss through your home’s roof.
Have your heating system professionally inspected.
Turn off water valves that supply water to hose spigots.
Remove and store any window mounted AC units, keeping your unit in better shape while also reducing heat loss.
Inspect windows and doors for cracks and drafts, and seal with caulk or weatherstripping to keep your home from losing heat
Inspect pipes that run on exterior walls for proper insulation or any vulnerabilities to freezing.
Check batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
If your HVAC system has a humidifier, get it inspected and calibrated. Make sure the drain line is clear.
Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to force warm air down into the room.