Fall in Alabama is a little unpredictable. It may be 85 degrees on Saturday and cold enough for the fireplace by Monday. While we’re focused on football, cooler weather, and deciding how early is too early for Christmas decorations, the season brings a new set of risks for our homes.
Start at the top. Falling leaves look great in the yard but are far less charming when they clog your gutters. When rainwater cannot drain properly, it may back up beneath the roof or collect around the foundation. Clean your gutters, check your downspouts, and look for missing shingles or damaged flashing. A small roof leak has an impressive ability to wait until the worst possible moment to introduce itself.
Next, inspect the usual water-damage suspects: water heaters, washing-machine hoses, dishwashers, toilets, and the cabinets beneath your sinks. Look for moisture, corrosion, or slow leaks. Make sure everyone in the house knows where the main water shutoff valve is located. Searching for it while water is pouring through the ceiling is not an ideal family activity.
Cooler weather also means fireplaces, space heaters, candles, and more cooking—all things that make a home feel cozy until they do not. Have your fireplace and chimney inspected before the first fire of the season. Keep space heaters away from curtains, furniture, and bedding, and never leave one running unattended.
As holiday cooking begins, stay close to the kitchen. Keep towels and packaging away from burners, and never leave cooking food unattended. If deep-frying a turkey is part of your Thanksgiving tradition, please do it outside, away from the house—and make sure the turkey is completely thawed. The fire department would prefer not to be invited to dinner.
Finally, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace their batteries. It takes only a few minutes and could save far more than your property.
Of course, even well-maintained homes sometimes have bad days. When water, fire, smoke, or mold damage occurs, Restoration 1 of Birmingham is there to clean up the damage, complete the reconstruction, and help families regain their peace of mind, comfort, and normalcy. We restore more than structures. We Restore Home.
A little preparation now can help ensure the biggest emergency at your house this fall is your team’s fourth-quarter defense.
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