The calendar says summer is drawing to a close.  As we all know, that means winter is just around the corner and with it, the potential for some cold, blustery days.  That makes the next couple of months a perfect time to tackle some maintenance projects before the snow flies.

As a leading home inspection company in Buffalo and all of Western New York (WNY), our certified, professional home inspectors are often looked to for guidance and advice about home maintenance and when it should be done.

With that in mind, our home inspectors came up with a Maintenance Checklist to include with every professional home inspection we perform.  Here, we have taken the TOP 6 tasks on the list that you can get to work on now to help keep you a little more comfortable during the long, cold winter days and nights.

To get started you will only need a few basic tools and a few hours for each task:

1. Check and replace, as necessary, the weather stripping and caulk around exterior doors and windows.  A 1/8 inch gap around an exterior door is equal to a 6 inch square hole in the middle of that door.
2. Fix the leaky faucet outside (inside too for that matter).  Allowing it to continue to leak could allow pipes to freeze not to mention wasting water.  One drop per second will waste the equivalent of 165 gallons of water per month, that’s more than an average person uses in 2 weeks!
3. Add insulation to the attic and do not forget to insulate the access point and add weather stripping at the opening.
4. Have your chimney (and fireplace) inspected, cleaned and serviced.  A faulty chimney or venting system for your heating equipment will allow Carbon Monoxide to accumulate in your home.
5. Clean gutters and downspouts.  A clean roof drainage system will help reduce ice accumulation at the roof edges.
6. Have your heating system professionally serviced.

A little maintenance can go a long way in keeping you and your home healthy and comfortable.  Remember, this list covers just a few of the maintenance chores needed on a regular basis around the home.  It will give you a good start before winter arrives and should only take a few hours for each task.

Lawrence Watkins is a NYS Licensed Home Inspector and the President of Specsure Property Inspections.  As a leading full service residential home inspection and commercial property inspection company proudly serving Buffalo, Lewiston, Orchard Park and all of Western New York (WNY) for over 20 years, we are pleased to provide timely and simple DIY tips and hints for today’s homeowner.

For more information you can reach us at 716-881-1914 or via email at info@specsure.com