Your fall checklist is here!

With Fall nearly here, it’s a good idea to begin getting ready for the inevitable changes in the season. Colder weather, falling leaves, and more precipitation means you need to begin preparing now before it’s too late. We’ve assembled a fall checklist to help your church get a head start as temperatures drop.

Leaf removal
If you live in an area with a lot of trees, you’ll know that while changing leaves are beautiful, they can create time-consuming chores during Autumn as they fall. Leaves cover lawns, get stuck in shrubs, and clog up gutters, so it’s important to make arrangements for their proper collection and disposal. It’s also important to check your gutters to ensure they are clear of debris as any clogs can cause serious problems like ice dams when winter arrives.

Furnace checkup
If you live in an area with a colder climate, you’ll want to have your furnace checked out and have any necessary maintenance performed on it. Regular furnace maintenance not only helps reduce the cost of your energy bills, but it can also help ensure your furnace is reliable going into the colder months when it will be necessary to keep your buildings heated.

Winterization
Adding weatherstripping to your windows and doors and insulation to your buildings and pipes can go a long way in preparing your church for the rest of the winter. Weatherstripping can help reduce drafts around doors and windows and potentially reduce your energy costs. Insulating your buildings will do the same and insulating your pipes will help reduce the chances of them freezing and creating much bigger problems if a pipe bursts.

Roof Inspection
Roof damage is often difficult to see due to the height of buildings, so you’ll want to have them inspected periodically to identify any issues and have repairs made before rain and snow occur more often. Leaks can cause serious damage to your church, so it’s important to do what you can to avoid it.

Finally, as you are making preparations for the fall, remember that winter and the holidays are on the horizon, as well. This can be a busy time for many churches, so consider taking time to begin reviewing your insurance needs for the upcoming year now instead of waiting till the last minute. This can ensure you have plenty of time to identify any opportunities for savings and ensure your church has appropriate coverage in place.