Fall Maintenance Checklist

Steven Ho Tips

Fall is officially here, and it is the perfect time to take care of both the little and not-so-little things in your home that need attending to. By doing this you’re preparing your home for the colder weather around the corner which can help you save time and money in the future.

 

  • Clean out your gutters.
    • Autumn is infamous for blocked gutters and downspouts with incoming falling leaves. Consider installing gutter guards to reduce this stress.

  • Keep it sealed.
    • Think of Fall as the warm-up to Winter. Any issues you see now that it has become cold, are signs of major issues you will be having in the colder months to come. 

  • Furnace filters and fixes.
    • Replace your furnace filter, and if needed have a professional inspect your heating system before you really need it.

  • Roof inspection.
    • Hire a professional and have your roof inspected. If your shingles are curling or cracking have them replaced.

  • Foolproof Fireplace
    • Planning on using your fireplace during the Winter? Have it checked out before using it to prevent any major and dangerous disasters, especially if you haven’t used it in a while.

  • Branch Management
    • Trim dead branches to prevent any potential damage to your home. Winter storms can be dangerous, with freezing ice and windy conditions.

  • Exterior Pipes
    • To prevent exterior water pipes from bursting when the weather gets below freezing, turn off the valves to the exterior hose bibs. Run the water until the pipes are empty. Make sure all the water is drained from the pipes, if not; the water can freeze up and damage the pipes.

  • Leaf Me Alone
    • Rake up the thick layers of leaves that settle on on your lawn.When the larger leaves get wet, they can compact to the point where they suffocate the grass below and lead to all kinds of insect and disease problems.
    • Don’t let these leaves go to waste! The raked leaves can be used as mulch. You can also add them to flower beds to put a winter blanket on your garden.