Fall will be here before we know it, bringing with it cozy sweater weather, crisp autumn leaves, comforting spice blends, and beloved holidays. For homeowners, though, fall also means it’s time to go over your fall home maintenance checklist to make sure your home is prepared for the depths of winter.
We recommend tackling two or more tasks per weekend. That way, you won’t be spending all your time working on your home, but you will have time to complete your entire list before winter arrives.
Check Your Detectors
Before you crank up the heat and start your fireplace, make sure you test your smoke detectors and CO2 detectors. Install fresh batteries as well. Safety is key, and this coming season is the most dangerous when it comes to fires, gas leaks, and CO2 leaks.
Schedule Service for HVAC System
Unless you are skilled in DIY home improvement, you’ll want to schedule HVAC winter preparation services ASAP. They will clean the fan blades, condensing coils, cover, and will weatherproof your AC as well.
If you use window units, take them down and store them to prevent drafts from entering around them in the colder months.
Clean Your Vents
Your heating vents will work best this winter if they’re clean and free of debris. Open them up, clean them out, and reap the benefits all winter long!
Install New Air Filters
Your air filters have been working overtime this summer to filter out dust and environmental allergens. Install new ones now and consider doing so again at the start of winter. The cleaner your filters, the more effective they will be.
Repair Cracks
Look for cracks in your porch, patio, walkways, and driveway. Fill these before the first freeze to prevent waterlogged cracks from getting even bigger when the water in them freezes and expands.
Weatherproof Your Home’s Envelope
Keeping a home toasty in winter can be expensive. Don’t fight a losing battle by leaving leaks in your home’s weatherproof envelope. Check for drafts using your hands or a tool, then seal each one with rope caulk or similarly effective material. Weatherstrips can be installed at the bottom of each outside door.
Prevent Creeping Critters
When it’s cold outside, little mammals will be working to get inside your cozy home. Make sure no branches provide a handy bridge to your roof, shore up any gaps (no matter how small), and continue to monitor for signs of animal activity throughout fall and winter.
Inspect Your Roof
Now is the time to inspect your roof and repair any damage. If necessary, add more insulation in your attic to keep your home and your roof warmer this winter. The best, safest way to check your home is by using binoculars to get a closer look from across the street. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to detect damage, it’s worth hiring help to get the job done.
Clean Your Gutters
Clear rain gutters are essential to prevent dry rot and foundation damage. One season with clogged gutters can cause major damage to your home, so climb up and clean out your gutters before the rain begins. Alternatively, a licensed service can likely knock out this task for you in a single afternoon.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
Your ceiling fans have a small switch on the body that will reverse their direction so that they will push hot air down from the ceiling. Flip the switch, and you can reduce your seasonal heating costs by up to 10%! Of course, you’ll want to thoroughly dust and clean the blades while you’re up there.
Trim Back Your Landscaping
Your landscaping probably thrived this summer thanks to the warmth and your care, so now it’s time to trim everything back. If any plants have extended beyond the borders of where you’d prefer it to be, trimming it back now will help your plant save energy this winter and come back thriving in the spring.
If your trees have sprawled out, schedule an arborist to come trim back any large limbs before the worst of winter’s storms arrives. Eliminating the risk of limbs crashing into your roof, vehicle, or passersby will be worth the cost of hiring a pro!
Fertilize, Aerate, and Seed Your Lawn
Fall is the best time to aerate, seed, and feed your lawn. The last month of summer and the first couple of weeks of fall are prime days to complete this task, so knock it off your list early. By feeding your lawn before it hibernates for the winter, the deepest roots will be rested, fertilized, and ready to flourish in the spring.
In fact, September 19th is National Aerate Your Lawn Day this year, so this is a great day to get out there with your neighbors and complete this important landscaping task!
Shred and Spread Fallen Leaves
Most homeowners used to rake up leaves and dispose of them, but because fallen leaves make excellent natural mulch, it’s now recommended that you shred and spread them evenly over your yard instead. If your yard has shrubs and trees, they can benefit from an extra-thick layer of mulch packed around their roots.
Clean and Store Outdoor Furniture
Before the weather turns rainy, deep clean, dry, and store your outdoor furniture. Doing so will extend its lifespan considerably, and your furniture will also be much more attractive thanks to the fabric and hardware staying clean and dry.
Flush Your Water Heater
Minerals and sediment build up in your water heater throughout the year, impairing its effectiveness by up to 50%. This fall, drain this sludgy buildup from the holding tank. Next, flush out your water heater. Doing so will make your water heater more efficient, which will reduce your energy bills, and will also prolong your tank’s lifespan.
The Takeaway
Autumn is a glorious time in Middle Tennessee, and we hope Fall 2024 is the best one you’ve had yet!
Posted by Parks Compass on
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