Fall Home Maintenance

Fall is a great time to tackle routine maintenance, repairs, and projects to your home. Shorter days and cooler temperatures can be a great motivator to complete what you have been postponing during the summer.

There are two areas to take into consideration when looking at the exterior of your home. Your actual house and your physical surroundings (i.e., landscaping) are both important.

Prioritize what is necessary to prepare your home for the winter months and what optional improvements will add a personal touch or monetary gain. What should you look at when deciding what to do with your home?

There are two areas to take into consideration when looking at the exterior of your home. Your actual house and your physical surroundings (i.e., landscaping) are both important.
Take a look and take care of the following 10 items before winter arrives. You will be able to cozy up and relax knowing your house is ready for whatever winter brings!

Trees and Shrubs

Have you noticed limbs during the summer that had no leaves or seemed to not look healthy? Well now is a good time to have your trees trimmed to rid them of dead limbs or have it removed completely. Shrubs that have been flowering during the summer are now ready for a good pruning to prepare them for spring time.

Gutters and downspouts

It is important to have your gutters cleaned after all the leaves have fallen. Debris that is allowed to gather can allow accumulated water to cause damage to the exterior or interior of your home.
Exterior repairs. Walk the perimeter of your home paying close attention to your roof, gutter/downspouts, exterior walls, windows, and foundation. Repairing what needs to be fixed is easier before the weather turns cold.

Seal Gaps

When cold weather arrives, outside pests like to look for a warm place inside. Any cracks or holes should be sealed up to deter animals are entering your home or garage.

Exterior faucets and hoses

Pipes and hoses need to be prepped for cold weather to avoid problems from freezing temperatures. Turn off water to faucets on the exterior of your home and drain water from hoses and store them properly.

Weather-stripping

Add or replace old weather-stripping around door and window frames. It can help keep you warm and safe you money on your heating costs.

Safety devices

It’s a great time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are operational. Replace batteries or the unit as needed. Another consideration is to test your radon levels. Sealing up your home for winter weather allows radon to build up easier within your home. Make sure to hire someone who is knowledgeable in testing radon.

Window A/C units

It is optimal to remove and store your window air conditioning unit as cold weather sets in. If you are unable to remove your window unit then make sure to seal your unit with insulating material to protect it and keep cold area from coming in.

Dryer vents

While outside take a moment to clean your dryer vent getting rid of lint. Lint buildup not only reduces your dryer’s efficiency it also is a fire risk. Dryer air and colder weather increases static electricity which can ignite lint.

Chimney cleaning and heating systems

Hire a chimney contractor to inspect and clean your chimney and fireplace to ready it for winter use. Have a heating systems expert inspect your heating systems to ensure they are working effectively. When working properly, you will see the benefits from keeping you warm and saving you money.