Your Handy To-Do List for Fall Maintenance

The crisp, cool days of fall are finally here … break out those sweaters! It’s also the perfect weather to tackle all sorts of home maintenance projects inside and out before a blast of winter hits our region. Is your home ready or not? Review our handy list below to prepare your home:

The crisp, cool days of fall are finally here … break out those sweaters! It’s also the perfect weather to tackle all sorts of home maintenance projects inside and out before a blast of winter hits our region.

Is your home ready or not? Review our handy list below to prepare your home:

Doors, Windows & Attic

Save on winter heating bills:

• Add or replace weather-stripping around doors and windows to keep out drafts.

• Caulk around windows where cold airs gets in.

• Get a good storm door for your entrance.

• Consider getting plastic shields to protect basement window wells.

• Insulate your attic and look at the benefits of cellulose insulation over fiberglass.

• Give your windows one more thorough cleaning (this one doesn’t save money, we just like looking out clean windows!).

Chimney

Important safety musts before building fires this winter:

• Hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney.

• Check to make sure the damper works properly. Close the damper when not in use, but don’t forget to open it before lighting a fire.

• Cap or screen the top to keep out rodents and birds seeking refuge.

• Buy firewood but store it away from the exterior of your home (it can attract rodents!).

Furnace, Ducts, AC Unit & Etc.

Get your heating system and other units in top shape for winter use:

• Hire a HVAC professional to inspect and clean your furnace.  Also check your whole-house central humidifier unit to make sure you’ll have the right amount of moisture in the air.

• Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.

• Drain air conditioning pipes and turn off its shut-off valve if you have one.

• Hire a professional to inspect ducts for leaks in their joints; and have them cleaned if necessary.

• Ducts in cold spaces such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces should be insulated.

• Remove and store window AC units.

• Clean dryer vent by vacuuming the tube that leads to the vent and then vacuum from the outside dryer vent. This should be done every six months so include on both your fall and spring maintenance schedules.

• Clean and disinfect your portable humidifier if you have one in order to prevent mold and bacteria growth in the standing water.

Thermostat

Keep your home toasty warm and ready for the winter chill:

• Buy a programmable thermostat that allows you to set temperatures lower when you’re not at home or sleeping. You’ll save money!

• To prevent pipes from bursting, never set your thermostat below 55 degrees.

Home Exterior

Prevent small issues now from becoming larger ones later in the winter:

• Clean out gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris. Water can freeze causing them to detach from your home.

• Inspect roof for any damage to shingles and double check seals around vents and chimney to prevent any leaks.

• Seal foundation cracks to prevent mice from sneaking in.

•Drain outdoor faucets and winterize in-ground watering systems.

• Inspect your driveway for cracks; seal if necessary.

Yard

Come springtime you’ll be happy you did these items:

• Trim tree branches that hang too close to your home or electrical wires.

• Keep leaves raked in yard so you aren’t overwhelmed with one big job.

• Plant fall bulbs now for springtime flowers.

• Remove and weed any dead plants, especially annuals.

• Prune shrubs before they go dormant. Cut back perennials; divide and transplant as needed.

• Aerate, fertilize, and seed yard.

• Drain garden hoses and store them inside.

• Clean and then cover outdoor furniture (or store it inside).

• Winterize sensitive plants such as roses and stake any shrubs or young trees.

Power Failures & Severe Weather

Prepare your home now so you’re ready for winter storms:

• Store flashlights, candles, and matches in easy-to-reach locations.

• Keep extra water bottles, nonperishable food (for pets too!), blankets and necessary medications on hand.

• Buy that snow shovel before it snows! Don’t forget bags of ice-melt and sand.

• Find the phone numbers for your utility companies.

Doing preventative maintenance in the fall can help eliminate some very nasty surprises your home has in store for you as the weather gets more severe.  Please start your home’s to-do list now!