Fall brings changing leaves, Halloween, and property damage prevention with seasonal maintenance tips

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

This fall, SERVPRO of Central Manhattan is the right choice for all your property damage restoration concerns throughout New York City.

Decorating your Manhattan home for fall is fun, but have you prepared your property for seasonal damages? 

Fall is the ideal season to check for inexpensive maintenance issues, such as areas that need caulking, changing filters,  or fixing leaks, to prevent future damage. Regular inspections and a little preventative maintenance, can help keep your property protected from seasonal elements like rain, snow and cold weather. 

Ground clearing and minor fixes are a staple of any fall property maintenance routine; raking leaves, weatherproofing doors and windows, carving pumpkins, and preparing your property for storms and trick-or-treaters.

Keep the chill outside

Check around the windows and doors for any gaps in the insulation or caulking, your property can lose a lot of warmth in the winter months if not properly sealed. At entry ways have a non-skid mat or rug to protect floors and prevent falls. Inspect your roof and siding for gaps or damage from storms, make any necessary repairs.

Maintain the gutter and drain systems

Blocked gutters and drains can cause a problem for your property anytime of the year. Avoid issues due to ponding water, with a proper drainage system that slopes toward gutters, scuppers, and internal drains. Make sure to clean your gutters removing any leaves, twigs or other debris to make sure that water can move away from your roof and foundation unobstructed. When water accumulates due to inadequate sloping, little to no internal drainage, blocked gutters, downspouts, and scuppers, extreme ponding water can occur and cause severe damage to the building infrastructure along with roof leaks, insects, mold and fungus, compromising the safety of those inside and outside the building.

Replace Filters in HVAC and Furnace

Change your HVAC system filters and have your unit inspected for debris or mold. When filters are clogged and dirty, your systems have to work harder and are at risk for failure or major damage. Before you turn your furnace on for the winter, it’s a good idea to have your HVAC system and ductwork inspected.

Protect the plumbing

Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and near outer walls can be susceptible to freezing in extreme temperatures, avoiding a costly pipe break or other water related disaster. Wrap exposed pipes in your attic, basement, or crawl spaces, with extra insulation around them to prevent them from freezing and causing damage. Don’t forget your water heater, add additional insulation if it’s located in an exposed or cold location.

Prepping the yard

Even with the cold weather conditions, your yard still needs to be maintained. Make sure tree and shrub branches are well away from the house and windows. Icy conditions can cause branches to break and damage your home. Autumn is the time for falling leaves, so make sure to clean out the gutters, to avoid possible ice dams and other costly water damage, and get them off the lawn, clean the flower beds and prepare them for next year with fertilizer.

It is an excellent time to plan ahead for Halloween visitors to your property this year.

HALLOWEEN PROPERTY SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS

• Ensure that your front yard, walkway and entry way are well-lit so that those unfamiliar with your home can safely navigate. If using a fog machine, be careful that the fog does not make it difficult to see tripping hazards.
  
  
• Look for any trip hazards on your property that you can fix or remove: electrical cords and hoses can be wrapped up or moved; holes in your yard are roped off or filled in; CAUTION TAPE IS A TIMELY ADDITION and helps to warn of any safety hazards that can't be fixed in time for Halloween.
  
  
• Use battery-powered votive candles or flashlights in your jack-o-lanterns, rather than real candles, to avoid a potential fire hazard.
  
  
• Make sure all railings, porches, and physical structures of your home are secure and in good condition before visitors access those areas.
  
  

This Halloween, may your treats be many and your tricks be few, our team hopes you have a safe and happy Halloween!

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES SERVPRO IS HERE TO HELP!

When planning and setting up your Halloween decorations, it is a good idea to consider any potential risks involved. Taking steps to prepare your property and to protect any visitors can help spare you from a truly frightening night. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan is the right choice for all your property damage restoration concerns throughout New York City, we have decades of hands-on cleanup, restoration and repair experience and our dedication to helping local owners, renters and businesses disrupted by disasters is second to none. We have worked hard over the years building a reliable team of IICRC certified technicians and an arsenal of high-tech commercial grade equipment ready to assist with water, fire, mold, or storm disaster restoration services.