6 End-of-Summer Home Repairs Will Save You Hundreds in the Fall
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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The end of summer isn’t just for putting away your bathing suits and gearing up for the new school year. You should also do some end-of-summer home repairs to ensure everything works well when the colder months roll around.
We asked home experts for their recommendations. Here are six end-of-summer home repairs that can save you hundreds of dollars or more in the fall.
Inspect And Clean Your Heating/HVAC System
This falls under the category of “repair” work if you find that your heating system needs fixing. Even if it doesn’t, having your heating/HVAC unit inspected should be at the top of your end-of-summer to-do list.
One-time HVAC maintenance calls typically cost about $99, according to Courtney Klosterman, Home Insights Expert at Hippo home insurance. Repairs and replacement costs “vary greatly” based on what’s needed.
Here are some of Klosterman’s recommendations:
- Replace or upgrade all HVAC filters.
- Turn off the HVAC system and check air ducts for dust, dirt and fur. Clean if needed.
- Clean and cover the outdoor condenser unit for your air conditioner.
Caulk Your Windows
New caulking will “help prevent the loss of heat, as well as the entry of cold air,” which keeps your heating bills down, said Matt Taschner, CEO of Minnesota-based Sota Home Buyers.
If you do the work yourself, you can buy materials for anywhere from $50 to $150, Taschner said. Hiring a professional could cost around $200 to $400.
Fix Leaks in Ductwork
An “underrated” end-of-summer repair is fixing small leaks in your home’s ductwork, according to Simon Bernath, founder and CEO of FurnacePrices.ca, a provider of energy and HVAC information and services.
“This helps reduce energy waste, and can be done with a special aerosol sealant circulated in the vents,” he said.
The cost might range from $1,500 to $2,500, but it can help you save 10% to 25% on your cold-weather heating bills.
Clean Your Gutters
Leaves and debris left in in your gutters “can trap water, leading to ice dams and roof leaks once temperatures drop,” said Reuben Saltzman, CEO at Minnesota-based Structure Tech Home Inspections.
Gutter cleaning usually costs $150 to $300, he said, but it’s “one of the simplest ways” to prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.
Repair Roof Damage
The end of summer is also a good time to check your roof and repair any damage, according to Andre Kazimierski, co-owner and president at Illinois-based HomeHero Roofing.
“Getting these repairs done at the end of summer is often a good idea from a scheduling perspective,” he said. “Since summer is drier than fall, you don’t have to worry as much about contractors having to cancel or reschedule due to bad weather, making their job dangerous or not possible to finish.”
The amount you pay depends on what needs to be done. It might range from as little as a couple of hundred dollars to $10,000 or more if you need a full replacement.
Clean Your Water Heater
This end-of-summer fix helps ensure your household gets “clean, hot water throughout the cooler fall and winter months,” Klosterman said.
Here are some of her recommendations:
- Clean out slow or clogged drains by flushing them with hot water and a plunger.
- Check under sinks and below appliances for water leaks. Consider installing leak detectors where water is known to commonly occur.
- Insulate pipes and (if possible) walls and ceilings to keep pipes warm.
- Flush your hot water heater if you haven’t already this year to minimize sediment buildup.
- Look for signs of corrosion under drain lines and the water supply.
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