Fall Maintenance: Things You Should Know

September 5, 2012  Properties are exposed to natural elements on a daily basis which makes maintenance a necessity; and now is a better time than any to ensure your property is in good condition for the upcoming fall and winter months. Don’t wait until it’s raining to conduct proper fall maintenance!
The following are preventative property maintenance steps recommended (and services offered) by OCBS:

Inside Fall Maintenance:
Change the air filters in the furnace and check for Carbon Monoxide leakage.
Inspect and clean heating ducts and vents.
Check water heaters to ensure they are operating efficiently.
Fireplace and chimney inspections.
Check windows and doors for any leaks; seal to keep cold air out and warm air in.

Outside Fall Maintenance:
Clean gutters and make sure they are firmly in place so that they don’t get clogged, which could cause damage to the property’s foundation.
Clean and pack up patio and pool area furniture so that it does not deteriorate or rust.
Check for any damage, cracks or holes in the exterior siding.
Yard/landscaping maintenance: clean up any leaves or debris and trim trees. Plant grass seed to strengthen roots over the winter.
Check all windows and doors to make sure they are sealed, and caulk joints if necessary so that cold air does not come through (this saves on energy bills!).
Inspect your walkways for cracks or uneven pavement; better to take care of these problems now before it is raining and slippery outside.
Roof inspections to check for leaks or other trouble spots.
If the outside of your property needs a paint touch up, now is the time to do it.