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Fall Maintenance Tips for Santa Claus and Petersburg, IN

Whether you’re hanging onto the last few days of summer with all your might or have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of fall, there’s no denying that autumn is just around the corner. And fall is a great time to head to a town fair, stroll through a corn maze, or take in a hayride.

It’s also a great time to make sure that your home is ready for another cold weather season. So before you curl up by the fireplace with your hot apple cider, prepare your home inside and out now so you can enjoy all that fall has to offer.

Keep cold, wind, and rain out. Check all window and door frames for cracks and gaps, and seal or caulk if needed. Inspect your foundation for cracks and gaps, paying close attention to areas where plumbing pipes come into your home and where the foundation meets exterior walls.

Keep unwanted guests out. No, we’re not talking about your crazy Aunt Esther. This is the time of year when small animals and rodents look for warm places to nest. So be sure to check your attic, basement, eaves and garage and properly seal off any entrance points. Remember, mice can squeeze in through quarter-inch openings.

Do a little fall cleaning. Organize your garage and prepare your lawn equipment for storage. This is also a good time to take inventory of fall necessities like leaf bags and rakes. Vacuum behind your dryer and clean your dryer vent, both inside and out.  Drain and store garden hoses and shut off outdoor water valves and irrigation systems. If water is left in an outdoor pipe, it can freeze during cold weather, expand, and cause the pipe to crack.

Keep the home fires burning safely. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep. Whether you have a wood stove or a fire place, clean the glass door and inspect it for any cracks.

Here’s one more really good idea:  contact Messmer Mechanical today to schedule annual preventative maintenance for your home heating system.  It’s a great way to ensure more reliable and safer performance this winter while also helping to keep your utility costs to a bare minimum.  Even your system’s manufacturer recommends annual cleanings and inspections, so why not contact Messmer Mechanical today.