Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: 8 Tasks to Prepare Your House for Colder Months

Autumn has arrived, and it is preferable to complete most home maintenance tasks while it is still relatively warm outside. You should not put off preparing your home for the colder months until tomorrow; getting to it now will allow you to avoid costly repairs and save money on energy bills during the winter season. While you can complete the majority of the tasks on your own, don’t hesitate to schedule professional checkups for your HVAC system and other parts of the house.

Below, you will find a list of several essential tasks to put on your fall home maintenance checklist. Apart from cleaning the gutters, installing a furnace, and draft-proofing your house, they include draining outdoor faucets, fertilizing your lawn, and inspecting the roof, among other things. Continue reading to ensure that your home is ready to withstand the first temperature drops.

Upgrading a Furnace

Before the weather turns colder, you should schedule a professional furnace inspection to determine if it needs replacing. If you haven’t had your heating system checked out for several years, it is possible that it is no longer efficient enough to warm your home during the winter season adequately. The technician will inspect the entire unit to see if any damaged or worn parts need replacing or repairing. Look for a furnace install Delaware, New York, Alabama, or Texas right now, and don’t worry about anything later. Upgrading a furnace could save you money on energy bills during the winter season, as well as keep the indoor air quality in your home at a high level.

Check Your Garage Door

Another essential maintenance task you should complete before winter is checking the condition of your garage door. Start by inspecting it for any damage, rust, or warping. After that, lubricate the door’s hinges to keep them in good condition for a longer period of time. If the door has a broken spring or a damaged cable, you will also have to replace it, or, if you think that it might be too difficult, you can contact garage door technicians at garagedoornation.com instead.

Clean the Gutters and Downspouts

Fall is a great time to clean your gutters and downspouts, as this will prevent the accumulation of leaves and other debris that could potentially cause serious damage to your roof. Moreover, it will also help you avoid flooding, which can result from ice blocking the downspout.

When cleaning the gutters, remove any dead leaves and branches by hand, and use a high-pressure sprayer to remove any remaining debris. The best time to do this is in the morning when the gutters are still moist after the night, especially if it rained. You can also apply a cleaner designed specifically for cleaning gutters and downspouts, which you can purchase at hardware stores. Once you finish cleaning the gutters, make sure to check whether you need to repair them or replace them with new ones.

Inspect the Roof

Another essential task to complete before winter is to inspect your roof for potential problems. This includes checking for leaks, evaluating the condition of the shingles, and assessing the attic insulation. If you notice any issues, contact a professional roofer to take care of them before the cold weather sets in. Also, remember that you should always avoid walking on your roof if possible. If you need to go up there, use a ladder made of non-conductive material (such as fiberglass) on a dry day.

Drain Outdoor Faucets

If you don’t want your outdoor faucets to freeze during the winter and get damaged, you need to drain them now. Begin by turning off the water supply; then use a wrench to disconnect all hoses and sprinklers attached to it. After that, open the faucet entirely and let water drain out of it for about 15 minutes. At this point, you can either leave it open or cap it with an upside-down bucket.

Fertilize Your Lawn

You should also fertilize your lawn now because the fall is the best time for this type of treatment. To do so, spread fertilizer around your lawn in order to boost its growth. While purchasing fertilizer designed especially for fall lawns may be more expensive than spring/summer fertilizers, using it before planting will give your grass the nutrients it needs to develop properly over the winter months. Moreover, it will also help to prevent your lawn from turning brown during the winter.

Prune Shrubs and Trees

If you want to keep your shrubs and trees healthy and looking great, you should prune them now and remove any dead and dying branches. To make the job easier and more efficient, use loppers and other pruning tools. Don’t forget to clean the tools after using them to prevent the spread of insects and diseases. While pruning your shrubs and trees, make sure to avoid their trunks and roots, as they may cause damage to them if you cut them by accident.

Draft Prevention

In addition to installing a high-efficiency furnace, you should also consider other ways to prevent drafts. One of the best options to consider is draft-proofing windows and doors. This approach will help maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home throughout the winter months. To draft-proof your windows and doors, install caulking around them and seal any gaps between the frame and the surrounding wall. While caulk may be a bit messy, it is a great way to draft-proof your windows and doors so that you don’t have to deal with cold drafts during the winter.

In Conclusion

Fall is the best time to complete some vital home maintenance tasks that you may have been putting off until now. In addition to the seven tasks detailed above, you should also schedule HVAC and other professional checks as well as replace your air filters. If you want to keep your home running at optimal performance during the cold winter months, you should start preparing it for colder temperatures now.