As the leaves begin to drop and the temperatures get a little cooler, you can be sure that Fall is right around the corner. This means it is time for some fall home maintenance!
Whether you love the summer sun, or you can’t wait for a crisp, cold winter, it is essential to make sure your property is prepared for the coming seasons. To avoid costly repairs and last-minute emergencies, be sure to add these items to your fall home maintenance checklist:
1. Clean your Gutters
It is easy to overlook blocked or damaged guttering but it can cause a multitude of problems. When water can not drain through your guttering properly, it will run down the exterior of your property or seep directly into it. It does not take long for damp or mold to spread but you can prevent this from happening by checking that your gutters are clear and fully operational.
2. Prevent Frozen Pipes
As water increases in volume when it freezes, frozen pipes can easily crack or shatter. When this happens, you’ll need a full drain replacement, which can involve a lot of disruptive work. However, draining all outdoor faucets as part of your fall home maintenance significantly reduces the risk of pipes freezing as the weather changes. This two-minute task could save you a whole load of hassle if you can avoid dealing with frozen pipes in fall and winter.
3. Check for Slow Draining Water
Next time you run a tap or take a shower, take a minute to gauge whether or not the water is draining away at the usual rate. A slow draining sink or shower can indicate that the drain is partially blocked. If so, you will want to call a plumber to clear the blockage as soon as possible.
While eradicating a partial blockage can be a relatively quick job, waiting until the drain is completely blocked increases the risk of drain collapses, leaks, and flooding. Therefore, this should be a part of your fall home maintenance.
4. Stop Drafts
Although properties require ventilation, drafts will suck the heat from your home and cause your energy bills to skyrocket. However, there is a simple solution that will save you time and money. Simply identify windows and doors that are causing drafts and add weatherstripping to their surroundings. This is a fall home maintenance job that most homeowners can do easily. Do not be tempted to put it off or ignore the problem.
There is always the option to look into professional windows and doors installation by a professional. This way you can be sure all drafts are eliminated completely and correctly.
5. Check Your Heating System
If you have not used your heating system throughout the summer, you will want to check that it is fully operational. A faulty furnace or heating system can be extremely dangerous. Do not hesitate to call in a professional if you are not comfortable doing this yourself. With a simple service, you can ensure that your system is working optimally. Also, your health and safety are not at risk.
Final Thoughts on Fall Home Maintenance
From crisp fall leaves underfoot to pumpkins being carved, there are many things to look forward to in the fall season. However, you will not want them to be overshadowed by a flooded home or lack of heating. With a simple checklist, you can ensure your property is well-maintained throughout the season. And you can enjoy everything fall has to offer.
Can you share some of the items that may be on your fall home maintenance checklist? Do you complete all of the steps as I have mentioned above? Tell me about the maintenance tasks you do on your homestead in the comments below so other readers may benefit from you.
check your windows, our double pane windows sprung a leak, so we have to put plastic up. Window replacement is not in the budget, this year.
I hear ya! I spent many a winter with those plastic hair dryer kits!