Updated fall home maintenance checklist
∙ min read
As the fall season arrives, it’s essential to ask yourself: Is your home ready for the cold? As summer ends, you might find yourself incredibly busy, especially if you have kids, and it’s easy to make excuses for not preparing your house for winter. However, if you put it off too long, you’ll face freezing temperatures and a house that can’t handle this time of year.
That’s why it’s crucial to tackle home maintenance in the fall ahead of time. You can enjoy autumn and winter feeling relaxed and worry-free by checking items off this list.
So, what needs to be done before the cold sets in? Here’s a list of home maintenance tasks we recommend completing before Thanksgiving.
1. Wash your windows and secure them
This might seem like a strange tip, but trust us, washing your windows after summer is a must. Winter is the darkest season, so having clean windows will let in as much light as possible. Filling a room with sunlight is an excellent way to keep the heat inside without skyrocketing your electricity bill.
Choose a streak-free window cleaner, such as Zep Commercial Foaming Glass Cleaner Spray or Unger EasyGlide Glass Cleaner Liquid. Lastly, if you live in an area prone to severe winter storms, storm window kits are an excellent option to reduce air movement and enhance home safety.
2. Repair weather stripping
One preventive maintenance task that most people overlook is weather stripping. These small insulating strips are installed along doors and windows to create airtight seals that help keep heat inside and cold outside the home. Over time, weather stripping can wear out or become damaged, so be sure to check these areas for needed repairs.
Completing this task improves energy efficiency and reduces heating costs. It also helps maintain a more uniform indoor temperature and prevents issues like moisture and mold that can damage your home’s structure. Finally, by reducing air leaks, your heating system operates more efficiently, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for costly repairs.
3. Clean gutters
Cleaning gutters is essential to prevent a host of severe home issues. Clogged gutters can accumulate water, damaging the roof, exterior walls, and the home’s foundation during autumn. When leaves and debris build up, keep them clean to avoid overflow that can cause leaks or erosion around the foundation. Additionally, cleaning gutters helps prevent ice formation during winter, which can create ice dams and increase the risk of structural damage.
To keep gutters clear and protect against mold and wood rot, dedicate a day to removing large debris and cleaning out dirt. It’s also a good idea to conduct a general inspection of the roof and remember to clean the downspouts.
4. Drain outdoor pipes
Once temperatures drop below freezing, pipes are at risk of damage. This includes outdoor or uninsulated systems, such as irrigation systems, outdoor faucets, and hose bibs.
To ensure everything is winter-ready, drain these systems and insulate the pipes; this will also help prevent them from freezing. Also, remember to drain, uninstall, store garden hoses, and shut off the indoor valves that supply outdoor faucets.
5. Store outdoor furniture and garden tools
If you don’t use your outdoor furniture during winter, store it away to protect it from winter storms. Before storing, make sure to clean upholstery and plastic and metal pieces. It’s also an excellent time to check if your wooden furniture needs to be refinished or polished.
Storing garden tools in a dry, well-ventilated place is also important to prevent corrosion. Another essential factor in prolonging their lifespan is to give them proper maintenance before storing. First, clean the blades of mowers and trimmers with a stiff-bristle brush or cloth to remove grass clippings, dirt, and other debris. Then, sharpen the blades if necessary; this ensures better cutting and reduces strain on the tool’s motor next season.
Remove the batteries before storing them in a dry place at room temperature for cordless tools. Additionally, empty the gas tanks in combustion engine equipment to prevent residue from damaging internal components during winter.
6. Clean the chimney
If you have a fireplace, you’re likely looking forward to cozy autumn and winter nights. However, before enjoying a crackling fire, you must clean the chimney, as soot can accumulate in these areas, posing several hazards, such as blockages, fires, or the spread of toxic fumes like carbon monoxide.
First, inspect the flue to ensure no blockages, such as bird nests or creosote buildup, which is highly flammable. Using a special brush and chimney-specific products is advisable to clean the inner walls and remove any residue. If creosote buildup is excessive, hiring a certified professional for a thorough cleaning is best. It’s also important to check the damper’s condition (the door that controls airflow) to ensure it operates correctly and verify that there are no cracks in the lining that could pose a fire risk.
7. Maintain your heating system
Before the cold weather arrives, it’s essential to have a professional inspect your heating system to ensure it operates efficiently. Several key components, including air filters, thermostats, and ductwork cleaning, are checked during an inspection. Additionally, burners and heat exchangers, which are critical for system performance, should be reviewed. If unusual noises or decreased performance are detected, it may indicate worn parts or blockages in the system that need to be addressed before they worsen.
This maintenance helps prevent costly breakdowns and improves the system’s energy efficiency, resulting in savings on heating bills during winter. Furthermore, a professional review can identify safety issues, such as gas leaks or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, ensuring your home’s safety.
8. Repair concrete cracks
If you have cracks in your driveway or walkway, repair them with concrete crack filler before temperatures hit freezing. Water expands when it freezes; if moisture is present in those cracks, it will turn to ice when temperatures drop.
Otherwise, the damage will be exacerbated by cracks, shifted slabs, and uneven ground. If you don’t want the repair to be more complicated later on, try to address the concrete cracks early in the fall.
9. Care for your lawn during fall
Fertilizing your lawn during the fall creates a nutrient-rich base for dormant roots. If you prefer a natural approach, consider composting instead of purchasing artificial fertilizers. Fallen leaves make excellent compost, as do grass clippings and garden scraps. A lawn mower with a mulching feature should chop large leaves into tiny flakes, which will break down into natural fertilizer when settled on the grass. Adjust the blades to the highest setting and mow just above the leaves if your mower doesn’t have a mulching feature. A leaf blower is the best tool for clearing leaves from driveways, patios, sidewalks, or other areas; you can place a large tarp on the ground and blow the leaves onto it for easy collection.
10. Conduct a safety check
Finally, if you plan to use your fireplace or air conditioning, it’s essential to inspect or renew all your fire safety supplies. Ensure you have everything you might need in case of an emergency, such as a fire extinguisher. This transition to autumn is also the perfect time to check the batteries in your home safety equipment, like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
We have everything you need for your fall home maintenance checklist!
Get ready for the most beautiful time of the year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year are just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate these holidays than without worrying about the weather? At Max Warehouse, you'll find various fall home maintenance products and everything you need for your home and garden this season.
We update our catalog and blog monthly to offer you the best products and solutions for various seasons of the year and maintenance, decoration, and renovation situations.
Get your home fall-ready with essential tips and products
Sources:
- https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/your-homes-fall-checklist/
- https://www.bobvila.com/articles/1499-fall-home-maintenance-checklist/
