In August, you’re savoring the dying embers of summer, enjoying the last few pool days and cookouts before fall sets in. Understandably, catching up on home maintenance may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, it’s a good idea to take a break from the summer’s last hoorah to do some house and yard upkeep. Your preparation now will give you peace of mind during the autumn months. The following are 6 home maintenance tasks that you should take care of before the Indiana temperatures start to drop.

Check Your Dryer Vent

In all likelihood, your laundry room has seen a lot of action this summer. Because of this, August is a great time to perform a regular dryer vent safety check. Dryer vent fires are a serious concern. A study by the National Fire Protection Agency found that, in a sample year, over 13,000 dryer vent fires occurred, causing 15 deaths, more than 400 injuries and over $195 million in property damage. Both electric and gas dryers can cause these fires. It’s important to ensure that you dryer vent meets regulation standards and is free of airflow restriction and lint buildup. For more details on dryer vent safety, check out our blog post on the subject. Feel free to call us for dryer vent cleaning services or with any questions you may have.

Clear Your Gutters

Autumn leaves are not the only hindrance to clean gutters. Summer storms can create buildup, which can lead to serious water damage in your home. Clogged gutters cause water to collect around your foundation and seep into your basement. This water damage is incredibly costly and inconvenient. The build-up in gutters also provides an ideal home for rodents and other vermin. All this considered, it’s a good idea to go ahead and take care of your gutters in August.

Prune Your Lawn

Summer thunderstorms can also lead to a lot of dead wood and debris scattered about your lawn. Don’t wait until you’re raking up fallen leaves to clear out those twigs and branches. Shaping up your lawn in August will give you a clean slate for the autumn months and allow you to assess the health of your perennials for the following spring.

Clean Your Patio

All that outdoor grilling and family fun can leave some grime on your outdoor patio. Don’t let that buildup sit on your beautiful brick or stone all winter long. Spot cleaning or power washing your patio in August will help preserve its integrity until next summer rolls around. For tips on how to clean your masonry patio, check out our recent blog post. If you have any questions regarding patio maintenance or repair, be sure to give us a call.

Prep Your Furnace for the Winter

Residential furnaces typically fail during the coldest months of the year. Because of this, it’s important to have your furnace system inspected before temperatures begin to drop. August is the perfect time for an annual check-up on your furnace. This preparation will save you money and keep you and your family warm during the Indiana winter.

Fireplace Maintenance

With the hot days and the warm nights, you may not have given your fireplace too much thought this summer. However, August is the perfect time to take care of any necessary fireplace maintenance before the colder weather sets in. Generally speaking, chimney sweeps have a more flexible schedule in the summer. This makes it a great time to take care of your annual cleaning, install a chimney cap and complete any necessary repairs. Contact your local Brick + Ember Outfitters for all your chimney maintenance needs this month.

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