09/22/17
Home Maintenance Tips for Fall
Keeping up with seasonal repairs and upkeep not only shows pride of ownership, but can reduce the risk of costly and preventable home expenses. Prepare your home for the Fall and upcoming Winter with the following considerations:
Home Exterior
- Inspect your roof and gutters regularly for fallen branches or build-up of leaves and debris. Consider installing gutter guards to make the job easier.
- Check shingle integrity. Show and ice will find their way in if you have any leaks or gaps in your roof. Curling, buckling or cracked shingles need to be replaced. Consider having your roof inspected by a licensed professional.
- Inspect your home’s foundation, sealing cracks and leveling yard depressions with compacted soil.
- Check wooden structures, such as decks and steps, for rotting, loose wood or exposed nails. Fall's cooler temperatures also mean it's a good time to paint exterior surfaces of your home.
- Trim dead branches and trees to prevent them from coming down and causing damage in a winter storm. - especially those that are close to power lines or the roof of your home.
- Take care of leaves and fallen branches regularly to avoid slips and falls, and keep your lawn from suffocating under thick layers of leaves.
Home Interior
- Have your chimney or wood-burning fireplace inspected, cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Examine electrical outlets and cords for potential fire hazards, such as frayed wires.
- Clean and replace filters in your furnace or heating system. Consider having a heating professional check your system to ensure optimal performance and discover minor problems before they turn into costly repairs.
- Check carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms and put in fresh batteries if needed.
Garage
- Examine your garage door to ensure that it is in proper working order.
- Check on snowblowers and other winter-time tools now, so they are in proper working order when you need them.
- De-clutter by reviewing the contents of your garage. Donate or dispose of items you no longer use or need.
Driveways and walkways
- Inspect your pavement for cracks and holes, and remedy them. This can go a long way in preventing accidental slips, trips and falls, and can make shoveling easier this winter.