Although I don’t know why I should be happy about the unofficial end of summer, I wish you all a Happy Labor Day!
Yes, the summer has come and gone and it wasn’t really a good old fashioned “Hot, Lazy Days of Summer” summer (only a couple of 90 degree days). I like my summers HOT because they don’t last long, not as long as the cold northeast winters we get here in lower Fairfield County, CT. Fret not, it’s still awhile before we hit the cold, cold winter, hopefully we’ll have a nice long Indian Summer.
Anyway, even though we still have some nice days ahead in September and October (I hope) it’s never to early to begin Fall and Winter preventative maintenance on your homes. Here are a few tips to prepare for yet another long Winter:
September
- Vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns to aid heating system air flow.
- If you don’t remove and store window ACs, then cover with plastic to protect them during winter and prevent heated air from escaping your home.
- Weekend project! If winter brings snow and ice your way, apply a coat of epoxy to the garage floor to help prevent road salt from eating holes in the concrete. Costs: Rust-Oleum garage floor kit: $60
- Drain and refill hot-water heater once a year to keep it fully functional. Also: a) Test the water heater’s temperature/ pressure relief valve, as shown in the manufacturer’s instructions. b) If little or no water flows out or the relief valve doesn’t shut off, replace it as soon as possible. Costs: Pro, $60 to $150 DIY, Search for “water-heater maintenance” on diynetwork.com.
October
- Examine weather stripping and caulk around doors and windows. Replace worn or damaged material that’s no longer blocking air. It’ll cost about 45¢ a foot
- A tip for the twice-a-year switch from window screens to storm windows (and vice versa): For the items going into storage, label them with room descriptions, so you can re-install them faster next time.
- Time again for new batteries in smoke and CO detectors.
And as you start putting Summer items away in the garage, attic or storage it’s a good time to start taking inventory on everything “Summer”. At least that’s a starting point – if you could use some help organizing and taking inventory and you don’t want to take it on yourself or you don’t have the time, call us at Fairfield Home Inventory and we’ll sit down with you and make a list of things in your home that you want or need inventoried.
Your inventory can be as detailed as “everything in your home” (recommended) to an “Express Inventory”. An Express Inventory is a, let’s say a “Targeted Inventory” on just your high value items such as electronics or maybe a special collection. It takes less time and the cost is less than a complete Inventory. But we have some great affordable pricing packages – call or send us an email and FHI will set up an appointment for a free estimate – no charge, no obligation. If it’s just a price list you want, then send us an email requesting one – that’s all there is to it!
Anyway, enjoy the rest of your Labor Day weekend and hopefully I’ll be hearing from you soon. Thanks
Frank