10 Home Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Autumn

min read

With the fall season approaching, it's essential to ask yourself, is your home prepared for the cold weather? As summer draws to a close, you're likely to be incredibly busy, especially if you have children, and it's easy to make excuses to avoid preparing the home and lawn for winter. However, if you put it off too long, you'll find yourself with freezing temperatures and a home that isn't ready to deal with this time of year.  

That's why it's critical to tackle fall home maintenance ahead of time. If you start crossing things off the list in September, you can spend the vacations feeling at ease and carefree.  


So, what needs to be done before the cold weather arrives? Here is a fall home maintenance checklist we recommend you complete before Thanksgiving.


Home Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Autumn

1. Wash your windows and secure them 

It may seem like a strange tip, but trust us, washing the windows after the end of summer is a must. Winter is the darkest season, so let in as much light as possible. Try to select a window cleaner that does not leave stains. 


Also, if you installed window screens during the summer, remove them now; this gives you access to the glass and allows heat into your home. Filling a room with sunlight is a great way to keep the heat in without skyrocketing your electric bill. 


Finally, if you live in a region with intense storms in the winter, storm windows are a great option to reduce air movement and improve home security.

 

Wash Your Windows

 

2. Repair Weatherstripping 

One preventive maintenance task most people forget is weather stripping. These small insulating strips are installed along doors and windows to create airtight seals that help keep heat in and cold out of the house. Over time, weather stripping can become worn or damaged, so be sure to check those areas to see if they need repair.

 

Repair Weatherstripping

3. Clean the Gutters 

Many areas experience summer storms that can fill your gutters with debris, such as dirt, branches, and leaves. If you haven't cleaned these roof areas in a while, there may also be algae, mold, or even mildew growing in them. 


All of these items can damage the roof or clog the gutter; if the gutters are too heavy, they can detach from the eaves. To prevent this, spend a day cleaning out large debris and removing stubborn dirt with a hose or pressure washer. It is also a good idea to perform a general roof inspection and remember to clean the downspouts.

  Clean the Gutters

4. Drain Outdoor Plumbing 

Once freezing temperatures are reached, pipes are at risk of damage. This includes outdoor systems such as sprinkler systems, outdoor faucets, and hose bibs. 


To make sure everything is ready for winter, drain these systems and insulate the pipes; this will also help prevent them from freezing. Also, remember to empty, uninstall, and store any used garden hoses and close interior valves that supply outdoor hose faucets.  

 

Drain Outdoor Plumbing

5. Clean the Chimney 

If you have a fireplace, you're probably looking forward to cozy fall and winter nights. However, before you can enjoy a crackling fire, you need to clean the chimney. Soot can build up in these areas, posing several hazards, such as blockages, fires, or spreading toxic fumes. 


So, clean the chimney as soon as possible; it is easy when you have the right products and tools. So you can enjoy a safe, comfortable, and beautiful winter.


Clean the Chimney

 

6. Stow Outdoor Furniture 

If you don't use your outdoor furniture during the winter, store it to prevent damage from winter storms. Before putting it away, make sure to clean the upholstery and wipe down plastic and metal parts. Check whether your furniture needs to be re-varnished if your furniture has wood components.

 

Stow Outdoor Furniture

 

7. Service the Furnace 

Once the cold weather hits, your furnace will be working overtime, and you must ensure it's ready to do so. Make sure you do a thorough inspection, clean dirty parts, and replace damaged or worn components. You'll also want to replace the furnace filter to ensure your furnace is running at its best.

 

Service the Furnace Filter


 8. Fix Concrete Cracks 

If you have cracks in your driveway or walkway, fix them with concrete cement crack filler before temperatures reach freezing. Water expands when it freezes, and if there is moisture in those cracks, it will turn to ice as soon as the temperature drops.


Otherwise, the result will be exacerbated by cracks, shifting slabs, and uneven ground. If you don't want your home repair to be more challenging later on, try to address concrete cracks in early fall.

Fix Concrete Cracks
 

9. Tend Your Lawn for the Fall Season 

During fall, fertilizing your lawn creates a nurturing foundation for dormant roots. If you want to go all-natural, you can try composting instead of buying manufactured fertilizer. Fallen leaves make for excellent compost, as do lawn and garden trimmings. A mulching mower should shred leaves into tiny flakes for large leaves, and they will decompose into natural fertilizer when they settle into the grass. Adjust the blades to the highest setting and mow right over the leaves if your lawn mower doesn't have a mulching function.   


Additionally, a leaf blower is the best tool to remove leaves for driveways, decks, sidewalks, or other areas; you can place a large tarp on the ground and blow leaves to it for an easy pick-up.

So, if you don't have the garden tools for these tasks, you still have time to get them and get your garden ready before the cold or snow arrives.

 

Tend Your Lawn for the Fall Season

 

10. Do a Security Check 

Finally, ensure you have everything you might need in an emergency, such as a fire extinguisher. This transition into fall is the perfect time to check the batteries in your home's safety equipment, such as smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If you plan to use your fireplace, it's essential to inspect or renew all the fire safety supplies.

 

Security Check

 

We have everything you need to get your home ready for fall! 

Get ready for the most beautiful time of the year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate these holidays than without worrying about the weather outside. At Max Warehouse, you'll find everything you need for your home and garden, regardless of season. We update our catalog and blog monthly for the best products and solutions.