Chimney Doctors

The fall season officially begins in a few weeks’ time, which makes it the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder days ahead. Here are some home maintenance tasks you should complete before the fall season begins.

1. Gutter cleaning – Gutters may be a small part of the roof, but they are just as important, as clogged and overflowing gutters can cause damage to the house foundations. During winter, standing water in the gutters can weigh the troughs down and cause damage to the roofing fascia. You can choose to clean your gutters if you have the proper safety equipment or hire gutter cleaning professionals to do it for you. Also, consider investing in gutter covers that prevent leaves and debris from entering the gutter troughs.

2. Heating system maintenance – The end of summer season is the perfect time to perform heating maintenance. You won’t be using it for the next few months, so if your HVAC technician finds anything that may require repairs, your home won’t be uncomfortably cold while you wait for repairs to be completed. Maintenance tasks adjacent to your heating system, such as chimney relining, should also be done during this time.

3. Check the windows for drafts – Leaky windows can let heat escape and contribute to high heating bills during winter. Check the windows in your home for drafts, and see if replacing the weatherstripping can help. If your windows are damaged, consider having them repaired or replaced.

4. Fix the cracks in the driveway – Water expands as it freezes, and if it gets into the cracks in the concrete and doesn’t evaporate, it will make the cracks even bigger. In worst cases, freezing water can cause the concrete to crumble. You can fix cracks in the driveway with a concrete sealer or have a professional do it for you.

Chimney Doctors is your leading provider of gutter cleaning and chimney masonry repair services. Give us a call at (518) 896-4107. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Clifton Park, NY, and the surrounding communities.