It’s getting colder: Three quick home maintenance tips

With temperatures starting to drop, now is an ideal time to conduct a few maintenance chores.

For many consumers, their biggest investment is their home, yet a majority aren’t aware of how susceptible it is to damage during the colder months.

While some homeowners traditionally take certain precautions to winterize their homes, they often wait too long to do so – and attempt to fix everything in one day.

Here are three steps to start your maintenance routine:

Check caulking outside house. Look for cracked caulking as well as new cracks on the home’s exterior that could lead to internal water leaks. Anytime moisture is introduced into a home, there is a chance for mold – especially if it goes unnoticed and untreated.

Clean gutter. You might be surprised how many leaves are already down. Remove all leaves, dirt and debris from rain gutters. This will allow rain and snow to drain properly and prevent build up, leaking or freezing. Plan on another cleaning after Thanksgiving.

Inspect, change filters. Clean filters allow heating systems to run more efficiently, saving energy and money.