Fall Home Maintenance Guide
Fall home prep goes beyond bringing out the cozy throws and pumpkin candles. As a homeowner, new seasons bring extra maintenance responsibilities to keep your home in excellent condition and ready for upcoming weather challenges. As you prepare for the cooler temperatures, read on for our fall home maintenance guide!
Change the filters and batteries
Ideally, replace HVAC filters every three months. The start of a new season is a perfect time to do so because of the temperature changes. Changing the filter in the fall is especially important so your heater works optimally the first time you need to turn it on, so your home is more energy efficient and keeps your heating bills where they should be. Change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms twice a year; changing them in the fall and spring is easy to remember and helps ensure these necessary alarms work correctly.
Clean the gutters
Over the spring and summer, your gutters fill with leaves, seeds, and other debris. Before the leaves fall in the autumn, clean out the gutters so they don’t overflow. This will also help the snow drain better once the first heavy snowfall comes.
Check the doors and windows for air leaks
Drafty windows and doors can significantly increase heat loss and energy bills. One way to tell if your doors and windows leak is to put a piece of paper under the door; if the paper slides around, it’s time to have the doors and windows resealed.
Drain and seal the outdoor spigots
Once the fall gardening season is over, the next step is to drain the outdoor fixtures attached to your house, disconnect the hoses, and attach the outdoor spigot covers. If you don’t drain the outdoor spigots and disconnect the hoses, you risk the pipes bursting when the water freezes in the winter.
Protect the outdoor furniture
After your final outdoor fall fire, it’s time to cover up the outdoor furniture. Whether you cover the furniture with weather-proof covers or bring it indoors, protecting it from the upcoming winter weather will help it last for many summer seasons.
Repair the driveway
A great fall maintenance task is to repair the driveway. If your driveway has cracks, repairing them now can help prevent them from spreading in the winter. When a crack freezes, it can then expand and damage the driveway.
Test the snowblower
Test your snowblower during fall to avoid scrambling to make repairs in the winter when the snow starts falling. Servicing it in the fall will have you ready when the first heavy snow arrives.
