Travel back in time to the days of road maps, long before GPS was even a dream. Sometimes you got to your destination without a hitch, and other times? Well, maybe those days are best forgotten.

The point is, things always get done more efficiently when there’s a clearly defined path or plan to follow. The same goes for keeping your home in peak condition. As such, here are some words of advice as you look forward to the Fall season.

Clean your gutters

Those falling autumn leaves can cause big problems for you this winter if you don’t get them out of your gutters now. We don’t get winters like New England or Minnesota, for example, but they can be rough enough with plenty of below-freezing temperatures. When accumulated ice melts, clogged gutters can cause roof and wall leaks, peeling paint, wood rot, and damage to the gutters themselves that can be difficult to repair.

Check smoke detectors

Like anything else, electronic devices are not invincible. Batteries can die, and other parts of the device can wear out over time. That’s why you should check smoke and CO detectors once a month or at least every eight weeks. Test the batteries and replace as needed. If your smoke detector has a power indicator light, make sure that it’s on. Then, press the test button to see if the alarm sounds.

Have your chimney cleaned and inspected

It’s best to do this before cold weather (and the urge to light a fire) hits. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that open masonry fireplaces be swept once 1/8” of sooty buildup has accumulated – sooner if there is any glaze present in the system. An experienced chimney sweep also can check your chimney for creosote – too much of this substance can ignite a fire that spreads into your living space.

Trim the trees

Cut back any dead branches, particularly those that are hanging over your house. In stormy, windy, or icy weather, these could fall and potentially cause damage and injury.

Have your heating equipment checked

Maybe your heating system performed without a hitch last winter, but that doesn’t mean you can expect the same this time around. For optimum performance and a reduced risk of equipment problems or failure, contact Optimum Air for our heating system tune-up and inspection. It’s also a good way to cut your home heating costs.

Optimum Air – a trusted resource for home heating, cooling, and improved air quality.