Get Your Home Ready for Fall - 7 Must Do’s to Cross off your Fall Checklist.
Owning a home is a big responsibility, and maintaining your biggest investment can seem overwhelming. But with the right maintenance tips and tools, managing your home’s fall upkeep does not need to be so challenging.
As it is with your annual physical or a car service, your home needs a maintenance schedule to keep things running smoothly, preventing needless breakdowns and saving you money down the line. Fall is the perfect season to tackle home maintenance projects because the weather is generally dry and temperatures are moderate. Before you start your seasonal home maintenance checklist, examine both the interior and exterior of your home. Most of these tasks can be accomplished without the help of a professional, but it's always better to be safe and call a local Pro if a home improvement project is beyond your skill set.
Follow these top 7 maintenance tips for the fall and tackle these projects while the weather is still warm and dry:
Inspect your Heating and Air systems.
Schedule an inspection in early fall before the heating season begins. Don’t get caught in the cold with a broken furnace, and older furnaces can be up to 50 per cent less efficient than newer models, so if you’re shopping for a replacement, look for systems that sport the Energy-Star label. If a replacement isn’t an option, consider following some of these tips:
Replace your air conditioning filter before shutting it down, and keep your furnace running smoothly through the winter by making scheduled furnace filter changes.
Check for damage on your outdoor condensing unit, and remove all debris around it to ensure good airflow, preventing dirt or leaves getting on the coils or inside the unit.
Schedule maintenance with a local HVAC Pro. During a tune-up, most HVAC contractors inspect, clean, and test all safety controls so you know that your equipment is operating correctly and safely.
Check your fireplace for damage and clean the fireplace flues.
Proper chimney cleaning is an important task to complete before temperatures fall. Fireplaces produce deposits which are combustible and can burn at over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to destroy the chimney liner and even set your home on fire. Find a chimney professional near you to have your fireplace inspected and cleared for safety this year.
Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks:
Colder and rainy weather is not the best times to schedule work on your roof. Winters in California can be wet, damp, and conditions hazardous.
As you complete your inspection and find your roof requires some attention, make sure you add a call to your local roofer to your fall checklist.
Tackle your gutters and downspouts
Cleaning and repairing gutters is not the most glamorous of home maintenance tasks, but it’s important to get it done in the fall and maintain proper drainage through the winter.
Remove leaves, twigs and any other debris that might create blockages, and then flush your gutters with water, inspect all joints and tighten brackets where necessary. Consider installing a gutter guard if you want a solution that will reduce the frequency of your gutter cleaning.
Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway.
Winter can take a toll on your driveway, and time spent following these tips will ensure your driveway will be in good shape in the spring:
Pull up any weeds that have sprung up throughout your driveway before fixing and sealing the gaps.
Repair cracks to prevent water collecting and worsening existing cracks in concrete and asphalt. Use concrete caulk to patch hairline cracks and concrete sealer to fix larger gaps, and apply asphalt crack sealer for asphalt driveways.
Seal concrete expansion joints with polyurethane caulk to prevent water from seeping in and freezing.
Pressure wash your driveway and seal it with a concrete or asphalt sealer to prevent damage from winter weather.
Check your Smoke Detectors
Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace all units 10 years from the date of manufacture.
Your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are the first line of defence against home fires, and a comprehensive inspection of your alarms will help keep your home and family safe this winter.
Clean and Seal your deck:
Walk around your deck and inspect that it’s safe and ready for spring. Sprinkle water on several different areas. If it soaks into the boards, it’s time to reseal the deck. If water forms a puddle or beads up, the deck is repelling water and will be safe for the winter.
Check also for loose nails and screws, and tighten or replace fasteners as needed. Inspect for cracks or areas that are splintering, and fill cracks with epoxy wood filler.
Giving your deck a thorough clean before fall is critical for maintaining its appearance and longevity. Sweep the space well and then use a bleach-free cleaner formulated specifically to cleanse and restore the deck to revive the wood and remove stains, mold, and mildew from the surface.
Apply a water-repellent protective coating after cleaning to protect it against water damage & UV rays without harming the color of the wood. If in doubt, make sure to reach out to a local Pro about maintaining and extending the life of your deck.
This is by no means an exhaustive list - there are so many things you could do to get ready for fall and beyond. That said, preventative maintenance is key and you can’t go wrong focusing on these home maintenance tips to extend the life of your home. Tackle these projects in small chunks, but if you don’t have the time to complete them, or if any of the jobs go beyond your skill level or require further repairs, consider hiring a local professional to help out. As ever, we at The Home Mag Northern California would love to partner with you to find the local Pro that works for you.
Come back soon for more tips about keeping on top of your home projects!
