With Autumn quickly approaching, it is time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Fall is the best time to take advantage of the moderate weather to repair any damages before the frost and extreme temperatures set in. Here is your fall home maintenance checklist.
Inspect Roof
One of the most important points on the fall home maintenance checklist is to inspect your roof. Making sure your roof is in good condition is imperative before the rainy season. Inspect your roof for damaged or missing shingles. Your roof is the first defense in protecting your home, so without it functioning properly, serious water damage can occur. This can lead to deterioration of drywall and wood further causing electrical problems. Simply repairing a few shingles can save you a lot of hassle and expense down the road.
Clean Gutters
Another to-do on your fall home maintenance checklist is to clean your gutters. Cleaning your gutters regularly is important in preventing buildup, especially if you live near a forest that expels a lot of debris and dirt. If your gutters are severely damaged it may be worth it to replace them with new ones that have built-in leaf guards. In the Pacific Northwest, with all the natural debris, cleaning gutters should be something you are always maintaining.
Locate/Invest in Snow Tools
At minimum, it’s best to own a snow shovel as you don’t want to get snowed in without tools to help you out. If you live in an area that gets hit with snow on the regular, consider investing in a snow blower. If you do not shovel your driveway frequently after a big snow, it can be dangerous to leave your driveway since the snow may turn into ice.
Test Alarms
Test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors throughout your home. It is also best to keep extra batteries on hand just in case. People are more likely to light candles and keep the fireplace on in the fall/winter, so having safety precautions in place is wise.
Change Air Filter
Especially after a hot summer when your ac unit was running full blast for multiple weeks, it is a good time to change your air filter. You can get a multi-pack online for inexpensive. Keeping the air filters clean can improve the overall air quality in your home. It can also increase your system’s longevity since it will alleviate stress on the system.
Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn in the fall will help protect it during the cold winter months and will help the green appear faster when spring rolls around. The fall is also a great time to patch up any spots of your yard that have been damaged by crane flies/grubs/or animal waste. Pull up the dead grass, spread topsoil with seed on the spots, and water. With the rain that comes with fall, you are sure to see new grass grow soon.
Check For Drafts
When it is cold outside and your house is working hard to keep the inside warm, you don’t want to have unnecessary drafts. A good tip is to walk around your home, replace seals and replace caulking around windows and door frame if there are drafts. If you need an immediate fix, consider purchasing draft snakes to place along the door or window that has the draft to help stop the cold air from coming in/the warm air going out.