Fall is in full swing. The leaves are falling and the temperature is starting to drop. With the holidays approaching and kids activities how can we find the time to wrap up those fall chores and what goes on that list? JCE is here to help you get through these short fall months and have you ready for that first snow.
For homeowners, landlords and realtors, winter can mean huge costs due to improper winterization. With the cost of burst or broken pipes and associated water damage running in the thousands and the expense of preventable heating service calls, winter can mean less money in your wallet.
Making your fall chore list should not be a daunting task. Many make the mistake of including too much on their list, making the task seem overwhelming. Follow these simple steps to make sure your protecting your money and investment this season.
· Keep it simple. Make a separate list for holiday shopping and decorating. You will not have much to celebrate if you just had to spend two or three thousand for a broken pipe because you forgot to shut off the outside faucets but got those Halloween decorations out.
· Prioritize your list based off time left in the season. With unseasonably warm and humid days this September there is no reason to winterize the A/C and clean the chimney just yet. By prioritizing your list, you can prevent having to do things twice.
· Know your limits. With winter rapidly approaching and dodging the bad weather most contractors find themselves scrambling to get jobs done before the snow starts, leaving you playing a bidding war to get your work done or getting below standard work to save time. Knowing your limits allows you to know what jobs on your list you will need to hire out and keep you from making those last minute, costly late season calls.
· Know your contractor. Getting a bad contractor can be the most draining, frustrating and costly thing a property owner can endure. In the google age, a quick search and take the first guy that pops up can be a very costly mistake. Advertising does not equal ability, passion or caring for the customer. Research your contractor, find their Facebook page, Website or Yelp site. Find the owner’s social media. Word of mouth and referrals are excellent gauges. I personally don’t put much faith in social media likes and reviews, but third party reviews are wonderful gauges as well, happy customers never leave a review, angry ones always do.
With so much to consider, JCE has put together a sample list for you, with these tips and our guidance we hope you are prepared for that first snow.
· Inspect all trees close to your home, looking for any limbs that overhang the house and any broken or rotten limbs that could fall under a heavy snow.
· Clean gutters and down spouts and install ice shields and gutter guards if needed.
· Stop the critters and bugs before they find a warm place to live in your home. Walk your property looking for areas where mice, rodents and bugs could enter. Spray foaming and steel wool work best for sealing these areas. Make sure crawlspace openings are secured with screens or shutters.
· Clean and wrap your Central Air Conditioner.
· Prep your pipes. Shut off all faucets and valves and drain any outdoor plumbing such as sprinkler systems and yard decorations.
· Inspect and clean any chimneys before use.
· Clean your dryer vent. This is one of the leading causes of house fires and a real pain when its 2 degrees and there’s snow on the ground.
· Make sure exterior lights work and change any damaged or broken bulbs.
· Find the snow shovel and buy salt.
Remember fall chores don’t have to take the fun out of the season. Use these tips to keep yourself organized and prepared for winter. Follow our Website and Facebook to keep up to date with our blog and to receive our tip of the week.
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