It’s officially autumn and that means it’s time to pull out your cozy sweaters, fall decor, and all of the pumpkin spice! But, it also means it’s time to start preparing your home for falling leaves, cooler weather, and the winter storms that will soon follow. Getting ahead and prepping your house with a few fall maintenance projects now can help prevent issues later in the season. You’ll even save money in the long run by completing seasonal upkeep to areas of your home including the gutters, furnace, and fireplace. Follow our fall checklist for suggested repairs and other seasonal maintenance tips.
1. Clean gutters and downspouts.
While the leaves haven’t fallen yet, it’s important to go ahead and clean them out and make sure your gutter guards are properly installed. Your gutter system is designed to help keep water away from your home’s exterior and the foundation walls. If they’re clogged, it can lead to quite a bit of damage to your home including water in your basement. By cleaning them out now and keeping them clear of falling leaves, you’ll have minimal maintenance during the winter months.
2. Check home for air leaks.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing an old or drafty home can save more than 20% on heating and cooling bills. Go through each room of your home checking windows, doors, and even the crawl space to detect drafts. Then, use weatherstripping and caulk to seal the areas before the freezing temps move in and your heating bill goes up.
3. Safely stow away outdoor furniture.
With summer outdoor fun quickly coming to a close, it’s time to safely put away your outdoor furniture. First, clean and remove the pillows and cushions. Don’t forget to cover the furniture with a weather resistant tarp. Then, store what you can indoors or stack and set it closer to a freestanding structure, like a shed, to minimize wind damage. By taking all of the necessary steps now, you’re able to quickly set it back up next summer so you can focus on having fun instead of shopping for replacements.
4. Fertilize and prep lawn.
For your lawn to be healthy in the spring, you need to prep it in the fall. Not only is raking leaves important to a healthy lawn, but you also should apply fertilizer in the fall to prevent damage this winter. By taking these steps, you may even notice that your lawn turns green faster next spring. Not sure where to start? A professional lawn care service can easily help with these tasks.
5. Test winter equipment.
Winter weather is inevitable in the Chicago area, so start up your snowblower to make sure it still runs correctly. This is also a good time to test your generator. If you do find an issue, at least you will be ahead of the line at the repair shop! Then, as all of your yard work dwindles down, don’t forget to run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel is gone so it’s ready for next spring.
6. Change batteries in smoke detector.
Replace the batteries in each smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home every year. Then, vacuum the alarm with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and test the detectors. Before you’re finished, check the label to see when the alarm was made. Alarm sensors wear out, so it’s best to replace each alarm at least every 10 years.
7. Schedule furnace check-up.
After not running during the warm, summer months, your furnace may need to be readjusted. It’s time for a furnace inspection! Instead of huddling around a space heater waiting for a repair company, get ahead of the rush and have an inspection done before it gets too cold. Make sure to keep up with changing/cleaning your furnace filter monthly, too.
8. Inspect and clean chimney flue.
Before you curl up with a good book by the fireplace and enjoy the first fire of the season, schedule your chimney inspection. It’s best to have a chimney sweep thoroughly check the flue and fireplace for damage and obstructions. Even if you only use your fireplace occasionally, there’s a chance you may have a dangerous build-up of creosote or a bird has nested in the flue.
9. Clean carpets.
Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, fall is a great time to clean your carpets. For better ventilation and a quicker drying time, you’ll be able to open the windows since the weather won’t be too humid or too cold.
10. Prevent frozen pipes.
As you’re finishing your fall yard maintenance, take steps to prevent frozen pipes connected to outside faucets. First, close any shut-off valves to the outside spigots, then open the outside faucet to drain the pipe. Disconnect and drain all garden hoses and sprinklers from the faucet to prevent water freezing as well.