For your fall home maintenance checklist, you must clean gutters, inspect your roof, clean chimneys, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, drain garden hoses and outdoor faucets, check your furnace, replace the furnace filter, fertilize the yard, repair driveway, and more!
The upcoming season comes with different weather conditions and respective must-dos that require your house to transition to be fully prepared. And you know, if fall is around the corner, winter is not far!
This guide provides a complete list of practical but essential tips to make your home autumn-ready. Read on!
19 Fall Home Maintenance Tips
The most complete fall checklist for home maintenance involves the tips listed below. Start reading and find out what you still need to do in your house to keep it ready for the colder seasons.
- Clean Gutters: Fall gutter cleaning is a must for any maintenance fall plan for a house, as it helps rain and melting snow flow freely without causing costly repairs.
- Inspect Your Roof: Before the snow hits, it is crucial to inspect your roof for any missing or damaged shingles, leaks, or wear and tear. Addressing these issues now can prevent water damage and heat loss during winter.
- Clean Chimneys: If you have a fireplace, cleaning it before you start using it in the colder months is essential to prevent chimney fires caused by creosote buildup and helps smoke exit your home safely.
- Test Detectors: With heating systems running more frequently, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial for your family's safety.
- Drain Outdoor Fixtures: Water left in hoses and outdoor faucets can freeze and cause pipes to burst. Drain and store hoses and turn off the water supply from outdoor faucets to frozen and burst pipes – which can make you spend a lot of money.
- Check Your Furnace: With temperatures dropping, your furnace will be working overtime, so it is essential to have it inspected by a professional to guarantee it is running efficiently and safely throughout the winter.
- Replace Furnace Filter: A clean furnace filter improves airflow, reduces energy costs, and helps maintain a healthy indoor air quality.
- Fertilize The Yard: A common lawn treatment in the fall is to apply fertilizer, as it helps grass store nutrients over the winter, leading to a healthier, greener lawn in the spring.
- Repair Driveway And Sidewalks: Cracks in your driveway or sidewalks can expand in the winter due to freezing and thawing cycles.
- Seal Air Leaks: Check for drafts around windows, doors, and other openings. Sealing these leaks with caulk or weatherstripping will help keep your home warm and reduce heating costs.
- Store Lawn Chairs: Winter weather often damages outdoor furniture, so you must clean and store lawn chairs, cushions, and other outdoor items to extend their life and keep them in good condition for next spring.
- Prepare For Winter Weather: A classic autumn home maintenance checklist item, depending on where you live, is to stock up on winter supplies such as salt, sand, and snow shovels.
- Rake Leaves: Raking leaves keeps your yard neat and prevents them from smothering your lawn and causing dead patches. Consider composting leaves for an eco-friendly disposal.
- Repair Window Caulk: Inspect and repair the caulking around windows to prevent drafts and improve energy efficiency.
- Check Fireplace: If you have a fireplace, now is the time to inspect it for cracks, creosote buildup, or other issues.
- Blowout Your Sprinkler System: Water left in your sprinkler system can freeze and cause pipes to burst. A professional blowout removes all the water, protecting your irrigation system from damage over the winter.
- Change AC Filters: Even though you will not be using your air conditioner during the winter, it is a good idea to change the filters now to avoid common HVAC problems in the fall.
- Test Winter Equipment: Before you need it, check that your snow blower, generator, and other winter equipment are in working order. It includes sharpening blades, changing the oil, and ensuring all parts function correctly.
- Inspect Your Heating System: Have your heating system inspected by a professional to ensure it is ready for the cold months ahead. Check for leaks, guarantee proper ventilation, and verify all components are in good condition.
These 19 tips for the complete fall home maintenance checklist are critical for you and your family to have a comfortable and safe fall. Call eHARDHAT's qualified contractors to prepare your home for fall, whether the service you need is roofing, landscaping, HVAC, or others.
