Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

September 30th, 2015

The leaves are changing, the air is getting cooler, and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air. Fall is officially here and, with winter right on its heels, there’s plenty to be done around the house. Without proper maintenance, the winter cold can wreak havoc on your home, not to mention your wallet. Avoid potential problems with this fall home maintenance checklist.

• Pressure wash exterior siding and windows to avoid bacteria growth caused by dirt and grime.
• Check exterior paint for peeling or chipping. Touching up paint before temperatures drop will help extend the life of siding and trim. Lower humidity and cooler temperatures make fall ideal for exterior painting.
• Inspect and replace weather stripping around doors (including the garage) to keep the heat in and the cold air out.
• Check caulking around doors and windows and re-caulk as needed. You may want to replace especially drafty windows.
• Inspect your roof for loose or missing shingles and replace as needed to avoid leaks.
• Clear gutters and downspouts of debris. Clogged gutters can cause more serious problems such as flooded basements, cracking foundations, or damaged paint and siding.
• Clean and inspect decks for cracks, loose boards/railings, or nails that are popping up. What may seem like a small problem could lead to a dangerous situation in icy conditions. If your deck hasn’t been refinished in the last 12-18 months, you may want to consider doing so to protect it from winter’s elements. Learn more about How to Keep Your Deck Looking New.
• Inspect driveways and sidewalks for cracks. Temperature changes that occur in the winter months can exacerbate small cracks. Sealing these cracks early will prevent potential accidents while extending the life of your driveway or sidewalk.
• Clean and store yard equipment to protect them from rain and snow. Drain fuel from gas operated equipment. Check snow equipment to ensure it is working properly and organize so it will be easily accessible.
• Turn off valves to exterior faucets making sure to drain pipes completely. Drain and store hoses. Wrap water pipes that run along exterior walls with heating tape to prevent them from freezing.
• Clean and cover air conditioning units to prevent rusting.
• Have your furnace inspected and serviced to ensure efficiency. Furnace filters should be changed monthly. Fireplaces should also be inspected and cleaned to prevent chimney fires.
• Inspect washer hoses for bulges, cracks, or splits. These should be replaced every other year.
• Inspect dryer exhaust tube and vent to make sure they’re clear of lint or birds nests. Exterior vent door should close tightly when not in use.
• Clean/replace humidifier elements. Humidifiers should be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria growth.
• Check carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly. Replace batteries as needed. A carbon monoxide detector is especially important in a home with oil or gas-burning appliances. 

Contact us today to learn how we can help with your exterior maintenance needs including painting, pressure washing (including gutter cleaning and window washing), and deck cleaning/refinishing!