Part of the allure of the greater San Diego area is the climate. You can count on it being pleasant for pretty much the entire year. However, that doesn’t mean that we don’t experience changes in the seasons. For home owners, it’s always a good idea to prepare your home for Winter.
Here are some home maintenance to-dos to look into in the Fall…
1) Heating: did you know that heating and cooling often amount to nearly 50% of a home’s energy bill? If you’re heating or cooling you want to make sure that your home is properly sealed. Check for air leaks around windows & doors and apply weather stripping and caulking as needed. Also, check for places around the exterior where pipes enter your home from the outside. You’ll want to make sure these are sealed.
You’ll also want to make sure that your air ducts are clean. It’s generally recommended that you have these cleaned every 3-5 years. If you have a fireplace you’ll want to make sure it’s in working order. Like your air ducts, you’ll want to have your chimney swept frequently. Many professionals recommend annual chimney inspections.
2) Appliances: As the weather starts to cool you’ll want to switch the direction your ceiling fans rotate in order to create an upward draft and redistribute warmer air from the ceiling.
Fall, like Spring, is also a good time to test and change the batteries for your smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors. Also, if you have a humidifier you use in the Winter make sure you clean it out as bacteria and spores can build up in a dirty water tank.
3) Yard: Unlike our friends in the Mid West and East Coast, we don’t have to prepare for snow. We also don’t have to turn off the water to outside hoses. However, it’s still a good idea cover your outdoor furniture and grill. December through March are the wettest months in San Diego.
4) Exterior: Start your exterior inspection by checking for peeling or blistering paint. This could leave your home exposed during the wetter Winter months. You’ll also want to inspect your roof, or if its been a while, have a professional roofer inspect it. Lastly, you’ll want to clean your gutters and downspouts.
In addition to having to prepare less for Winter, San Diegans also have more flexibility when it comes to home improvement. Most remodeling jobs can be done year-round. If you have an area of concern or section of your home that you’d like improved talk to Greyhound General today! Schedule your free consultation by calling 800-568-7108 or filling out the form here.
Last week the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to make voluntary water restrictions mandatory, starting on November 1st. This was promoted by a continuing drought, and the announcement from the water wholesaler for Southern California, Metropolitan Water District, that it has only 49% of its usual water storage capacity available.