Prepare for Cooler Temperatures

While September is often the warmest month in the East Bay Area, once October arrives, the mercury starts its slide into cooler temperatures and rain usually increases. That means if you are looking to prepare your home for the fall and winter months, it would be best to begin now. 

Here is our recommended list:

1.    Seal your home. Check doors, windows and baseboards for any gaps. Seal cracks with applicable weatherstripping and/or caulking. Ensure that all exterior doors have proper sweeps on the bottoms to prevent cool air from slipping underneath.

2.    Evaluate your property’s insulation. While most homes in the bay area have some form of insulation, older homes usually do not have the adequate amounts required to effectively control heat loss during the cooler months. Consider having your home inspected by a licensed insulation contractor who can make appropriate recommendations. 

3.    Check your furnace. Make sure your filter has been replaced and consider having the unit serviced by a licensed HVAC contractor. If you do not already have a programmable thermostat, we recommend an upgrade, especially to devices that can be remotely controlled.

4.    Ensure your home adequately sheds water. Check the roof for obvious loose tiles and other damage. If you suspect issues, have it inspected by a licensed roofing contractor who can make sure the roof is in decent condition. Clean your gutters and downspouts and install diverters as necessary to convey water away from the foundation. Trim vegetation that might trap moisture against your home, branches that might impact your roof during a storm and move any objects away from the sides of your home that might hinder the flow of water from your property. 

5.    Check your smoke & CO detectors. Since you may be firing up your furnace for the first time in a while, make sure your detectors can provide adequate warnings in case of a malfunction. While some newer detectors may have removeable batteries, units over 10 years of age should be replaced with new detectors with 10-year batteries. 
               
6.    Cover exterior pipes. Many homes have water pipes and exterior faucets that could potentially freeze if it gets cold enough. Wrap exposed pipes with foam covers and cover protruding faucets with protective insulated faucet covers. 

Fall is an exciting time for many as it ushers us into the holiday season. With proper preventative maintenance, it can also be trouble free.