Al Snellgrove

Fall home maintenance checklist:

Maintain your heating system

Your HVAC is central to keeping your home warm during the winter. Face the challenges of winter with these simple furnace tips.

• Change the air filter in your furnace and check its efficiency before the cold weather begins. A clogged air filter can cause your furnace to work harder than it needs to and may even lead to the furnace not functioning.

• Stock up on several air filters for the winter, and change them every month.

• Call in an HVAC contractor to test the heating output and give the system a tune up. This technician can also check for and correct possibly hazardous carbon monoxide levels generated by your heating system.

• If you don't have a programmable thermostat, purchase one for the system to help lower your energy costs. In extreme cold weather conditions, consider leaving your thermostat at a set level.

• After your furnace has been tuned up to its maximum efficiency, take a moment to inspect your heating ducts and vents. Dust them off and clear away anything that may have gotten into them over the summer.

• Check your windows and doors for drafts:

  • Check your windows for any leaks that may compromise your heating efficiency. If you feel cold air coming in, purchase a plastic sealing kit from the hardware store and place the plastic around the window to keep the heat from escaping.

  • Be sure to check your doors as well, and replace the weather stripping if needed.

Check the fireplace, woodstove and/or chimney

Most chimney sweeps recommend an annual sweeping, but depending on how often you use the fireplace or woodstove, you might be able to wait on a full sweep. If you'll be using the fireplace or woodstove often, call a chimney sweep for an inspection.

Hopefully you'll have older, seasoned firewood ready for use. Seasoned wood is good for fires, as it burns cleaner and longer. It's recommended to keep the firewood covered at least 30 feet from the house.

Review home fire safety

The beginning of the heating season brings new potential for fire hazards, so take a moment to review fire safety in your home. Check fire extinguishers and replace them if necessary, and change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Also review your home fire evacuation plan with your family.

Clean out gutters

It's good to inspect and clean your gutters a few times during the fall, especially if there are many trees around your house. Clearing your gutters of fallen leaves and other debris is a crucial task before temperatures drop to help prevent ice buildup. If gutters remain clogged, water will spill over them and onto the ground next to the foundation, which can cause damage to the foundation or flood basements. Gutters and downspouts should be kept clean and should direct water away from the foundation, as well as from walkways and driveways, so they don't become slippery or icy.

Follow these tips to safely clean your gutters:

• Alert your family or a neighbor that you'll be cleaning the gutters, and check in with them at a planned time.

• Practice ladder safety:

  • Inspect the ladder for defects and tighten any loose parts before climbing.

  • Always keep one hand on the ladder.

  • Avoid reaching too far.

  • Enlist the help of a family member or neighbor to hold the ladder base.

• Wear gloves to protect your hands from potentially harmful bacteria or thorns.

• If you have to get on the roof to access part of your gutters, wear nonslip shoes.

• Consider hiring a professional if you believe cleaning your gutters is dangerous.

Trim branches

Storms and wind can snap dead branches, which can injure people or damage items in their path. Trim your bushes and trees to keep them in good shape using the right tools and a ladder, if needed.

• Choose tools that are made for trimming trees, such as hand pruners, loppers or a pruning saw, and make sure your tool is sharp.

• Follow proper trimming procedure according to the size of the limb. Check pruning guidelines for more guidance to achieve healthy growth.

• Wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands and arms.

• Follow the guidelines for ladder safety listed above.

• Consider hiring a professional if you believe trimming your tree is dangerous.

Our office offers Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Life Insurance and Business Owner needs. We serve Crenshaw County as well as surrounding counties with our office location being in Luverne, AL.

I received my BA from the University of Mississippi. I am committed to the growth of our community which is why I served on Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Kiwanis Club Board of Directors. I was also involved with our Industrial Development Board.

I am committed to serving the financial needs of my customers. I have qualified for Life Legion Of Honor, National Convention Qualifier, Ambassador Travel Qualifier.

Serving State Farm policyholders since 1986.