Keeping track of your fall home maintenance tasks can seem overwhelming with a long list of projects that need to be completed. When making a to-do list, you’ll have more success if you break down the tasks into categories, like interior projects, exterior projects, yard work, and jobs you’ll need a professional for. Here are a few things for you to tackle to keep your home in great condition as the weather cools off.
Interior Projects for Fall Home Maintenance
As it gets colder, the risk of your pipes bursting increases. Get your plumbing ready with the right insulation before temperatures drop. Inspect unheated spaces, such as basements, crawlspaces, and attics, and cover the pipes in foam insulation to protect them.
Check your doors and windows for missing or damaged weatherstripping. Remove the old product and apply new materials. Weatherstripping creates a barrier to keep heat in and cold air out.
Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries. With the use of indoor heat sources, the risk of fire increases. Especially if you use propane or natural gas for heating, you’ll want carbon monoxide detectors. These devices will alert you to the build-up of gas indoors.
Exterior Projects for Your Home
To prepare for colder weather, start with detaching the garden hose from the outdoor spigot. Drain and cover the spigots to prevent cracks and burst pipes when the temperature is below freezing.
Clean the patio furniture and cover it. Store recreational items indoors. Check the home’s siding for bad seals or damage. Spending a little time and money on small issues now will keep them from becoming bigger and more expensive later on.
Seal gaps that allow pests to enter your home. A warm house with a food supply is a tempting place for rodents and insects to hide when it gets colder outside.
Tend to Your Landscaping
Fall home maintenance tasks don’t end with the exterior of your home. The rest of your property needs care, too. Rake the leaves or hire a landscaper to handle leaf removal. Dry leaves can catch fire, are a slipping hazard, and can promote fungal growth in your lawn. If not removed, leaves stunt the growth of the grass in the spring.
Call a Professional for These Fall Home Maintenance Tasks
Some things on your fall home maintenance checklist might be better off in the hands of trained contractors and technicians. An example of this type of job is an HVAC inspection. Have a professional inspect the heating system before winter so it’s ready for the season.
A roof inspection is a good idea before winter. Weight from snow and ice can damage roofing and cause leaks, so have a professional look for problems, such as damaged flashing and missing shingles. Clean your gutters to keep rain and snowmelt flowing off the roof, which will also protect your home’s foundation.
In fall, have an arborist inspect trees on your property. They will be able to determine if any are a threat to your home and should be removed. A tree professional will prune overhanging branches so they won’t fall and damage your home or vehicle under the weight of snow or ice.
Fall is a great time to handle home repairs before winter. Because the weather is milder, this is particularly true for outdoor projects. Using the above tips, make a list of everything that you need to accomplish before winter arrives.
Carolina HomePro Inspections provides inspection services to customers in Charlotte, NC, and in the Rock Hill area of South Carolina. Contact us to schedule an appointment.