Home Maintenance Checklist: Must Do’s for Fall

Now that the kids are back in school, it’s the perfect time of the year to get some things done around the house. Use the fall as a time to prepare your home for the winter when being outdoors doing repair can be less than desirable, and very costly if you have to hire someone to do the work. Here’s a list of some items that need to move their way up to the top of your to-do list to make sure your home is in its best shape before heading into the holidays.

Seal Up the House to Save on Heating

Image via This Old House

When a home has air leaks around windows and doors, it’s like allowing money to fly right out of your wallet. Gaps in caulk and weather-stripping can account of at least ten percent of your home heating bill according to the United States Department of Energy. Stop by a home improvement store and pick up a few packs of weather-stripping, and get to work! Weather-stripping is one of the easiest ways to make sure that the heat your furnace pumps out this winter stays in the house and doesn’t heat your front porch or window sills. In addition, check around spots where cables for electrical, cable, phone, and gas enter the house. If you notice gaps, use a suitable caulk to fill in the space.

Trim Back Trees

Image via The Tree Guys

From September through the end of October, hurricane season is still in full swing, and while the Midwest is safe from a direct hit, remnants of a storm with strong winds can do some serious damage to a home that sits under old trees. In addition to preparing to deal with storms, having a tree removal company trim away any dead branches and limbs will protect your home from falling debris during the winter, when trees have additional weight of snow sitting atop them.

Get Your Head in the Gutter

Image via Moonworks Home

Gutters are a vital part of your roof’s drainage system, and left ignored, can end up doing substantial damage to your roof, as well as the home’s foundation. The gutters role is to divert the thousands of gallons of rain that fall on your roof away from the home and foundation. When gutters are backed up and water begins to overflow, it gathers at the lowest point, which is often where the ground meets with your foundation. Seepage and leaks can develop, creating a very costly situation. Hop up on a ladder with a blower or hose and work on getting all the leaves and other foliage out of the gutters so that rain water can flow freely. Investing in a mesh gutter guard may be a good choice if your home has numerous trees that overhand the property.

Inspect Fireplaces

Fireplaces and wood burning stoves are a great way to save on heating costs in the cooler months. They also make a great place in the home to gather around and spend time during the holidays. Having the chimney professionally swept is a must, as they are able to remove creosote, which is a highly flammable combination of wood tar, organic vapors, and moisture buildup, which can cause a chimney fire. If the fireplace itself could use a facelift, get an early start on the project by speaking with a designer at Newline Design Center.

Prep for Snow

Sure, you may not want to think about it now, but in a few months, the chance of snow is very real. As you clear out the backyard of summer furniture and toys, consider where you pack them away in a shed or garage. You may even want to empty out your storage space to reconfigure so that summer items are stored in the rear while snow removal equipment like snow blowers, rock salt, and shovels are easily accessible after the first snowfall. Check manuals for outdoor gas powered appliances to see if there are any additional preparations you need to make besides draining the gas to store the appliance outdoors throughout the cold winter.

There are still many other things that have a strong case to be on the top of your fall home maintenance checklist, but these are some of the most important that will either save you money this fall and winter, or help your home stay beautiful. Preparation is ninety percent of the battle, and being ready to take on winter by completing everything on your maintenance checklist will have you enjoying hot chocolate by the fire while others struggle with the tasks that they put off to watch football games in the fall!