Rain jackets by the door, muddy paw prints in the hallway and a little more time indoors. Autumn has a familiar rhythm on Vancouver Island, and it’s a good time to give our homes a little attention before settling into the season.For homeowners in Nanoose Bay, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, a few seasonal jobs can help keep the house comfortable and the wet weather outside. Here are five places to start.
1. Clear gutters and check downspouts
Leaves and needles have a way of collecting where you least want them. A fall gutter cleanout gives rainwater a clear route off your roof and away from the house. Check for loose downspout connections and watch for water spilling over the edges when it rains.
If you have trees close to the roof, another check later in the season may be worthwhile. This is also a perfectly good job to hand over to a professional, especially when ladders are involved.
2. Notice where rainwater goes
Once a rain shower has passed, take a look around the outside of your home. Is water collecting beside the foundation, pooling near the garage or lingering at the bottom of the steps? Wet weather can reveal things you wouldn’t notice on a sunny afternoon.
Clear leaves from surface drain grates that you can safely reach. If the same puddle keeps returning or you notice new dampness indoors, have a drainage professional take a closer look.
3. Give your heating system some attention
There’s something lovely about coming home to a warm house after a damp afternoon outdoors. If your furnace, heat pump or fireplace is due for servicing, now is a good time to book it. Check filters and clean or replace them as directed by the manufacturer, and use a licensed gas contractor for gas appliance servicing.While you’re thinking about the season ahead, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and check their replacement dates, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Check outdoor lighting and walkways
The front path can feel quite different when you’re arriving home in the dark with grocery bags in both hands. Check that entrance lights work, steps are easy to see and handrails feel secure.Sweep away wet leaves and deal with slippery moss using a cleaning method suited to the surface. Check that doormats sit firmly in place, too. These small jobs make everyday comings and goings a little easier, including that last trip outside with the dog.
5. Refresh your power outage supplies
The best time to find the flashlight is before the lights go out. Check batteries, charge your phone power bank and keep supplies somewhere the whole household can find them.Plan for at least three days of drinking water, food that needs little or no preparation, essential medications and other household necessities. Remember your pets’ food and supplies as well. If you already have an emergency kit, a quick check of expiry dates will tell you what needs refreshing.
Pick one or two jobs to tackle this week and book any help you need for the rest. Then you can get back to enjoying the season, with a home that’s ready to welcome you in from the rain.
