For most homeowners, fall is the time to decorate and get ready for the cool weather to come. While decorating the house is an important step to welcome the new season, there are other repairs that need to be taken care of.
That transition from hot summer days to cool fall nights may seem like an easy thing, but the house sure needs an update before winter hits.
Well, in case you’re not sure what to do to get your home ready for the fall, don’t worry. I created a simple fall home maintenance checklist to help you out below!
“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. – Lewis Carroll
The Gutters
The gutters are probably some of the most underrated components of any home. They play a very crucial role, draining gallons of rainwater from the roof and redirecting it accordingly.
This role has a lot of implications for the livability of your house. For example:
- An efficient gutter system ensures there’s no water collecting on the roof. This helps to reduce the risk of roof damage or leakages.
- Also, they ensure there’s no accumulation of water around your home’s foundation. This is vital in preventing potential foundation cracks or damages.
However,
A lot of homeowners tend to ignore gutters until it’s too late. They become clogged with debris and dirt to a point where they can’t drain water as effectively as they should. You cannot afford this, as it could lead to serious roof, siding and foundation damages.
Fall is the perfect time for gutter cleaning and possibly even replace or repair them if need be.
Insulate Windows and Doors
The best way to make your home as energy efficient as possible is to insulate it properly. Weather-stripping, as it’s often called, is seen as more of a winter DIY project but depending on where you live, it would be better to already do it now.
Fall nights can also be very cold and you may want to light up the fireplace. However, if there are crevices and spaces under the doors and windows, you will end up spending more money on heating than you should. This is why you need to fix these spaces to properly insulate your home.
This may seem like a simple fall maintenance checklist item but it really goes a long way in saving you money on heating or cooling bills.
Bring in the Outdoor Furniture
A lot of outdoor furniture manufacturers will tell you that their products are designed to withstand the torments of any weather, but don’t take their word for it.
Fall is often associated with rain and storms and believe me, these weather conditions are enough to ruin your most coveted outdoor furniture. And since you spent so much time and money setting your outdoor spaces for the summer, it would be a shame to see all that effort undone by a single storm.
To be on the safe side, bring in the outdoor furniture into the garage or a shed if you know a storm is coming, and protect it from the weather. This will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Change Air Filters
Changing the air filters in your HVAC system is a standard safety practice that should be done regularly regardless of the season, but we all know they work the hardest during summer and winter.
Since we are coming off the hot summer months, you can pretty much guess your filters will be worn out and not working efficiently.
This is why we recommend replacing the filters as part of your fall home maintenance plan. You may also want to have the entire HVAC system inspected just to be sure it’s working as expected, to prevent any headaches when you need it the most.
Fertilize the Lawn
The best way to keep your lawn looking great through the tough winter months is to prep it during fall and spring. Plant roots don’t stop growing just because of the weather or the season. They are active all year round and as such, there’s no good or bad time to give the lawn the much-needed attention.
In that case, consider applying some fertilizer on the grass and let it pop under the fall rains. Ultimately, you want to make sure that the lawn is as healthy as it can be moving into the new season.
This will help it persevere through the torments of the harsh cold weather without too much damage. Additionally, if you intend to grow a few winter plants in your garden, fall would be the time to do it.
Getting your home ready for fall is quite easy. With a good fall checklist to follow and local contractors to help you out, it should be done in no time!
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