Now that the weather is starting to cool down, it’s time to prepare your home for fall before pumpkin spice season is fully upon us. Use this fall home maintenance checklist to tick off key tasks and get your home fall-ready.
1. Prepare Your Gutters
While falling leaves can be beautiful, they can damage your gutters. To prepare your gutters for fall, clear out any leaves and debris, check for damage and make repairs. Take a walk around your property and look for any branches that overhang your home and may damage your roofing system. Cut back any hazardous branches before the heavy snow and freezing rain arrive.
2. Seal Windows and Doors
Help keep the warm air inside your home this fall and inspect your windows and doors for air leaks. Caulk any exterior gaps in your siding or around windows and doors. Consider upgrading to new energy-efficient windows and doors for year-round comfort and energy savings.
3. Inspect Your Heating System
If you have a fireplace, ensure it is in good condition. Confirm the dampers open and close correctly and nothing obstructs the chimney. Book a service call with a licensed HVAC professional to help make sure it runs efficiently.
4. Shut Off Exterior Water Sources
As the temperature drops, be mindful that water in outdoor pipes and hoses can freeze and burst. Turn off exterior faucets and disconnect your garden hose to drain all water from exterior pipes.
5. Change the Direction of Ceiling Fans
A simple but effective way to help save money on heating bills is to reverse the directional flow of ceiling fans. Simply flick the switch on the base of the ceiling fan into the clockwise mode to circulate the warm air that rises.
6. Check the Batteries
In anticipation of heavy use of furnaces, fireplaces, and portable heaters, don’t forget to test and replace your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. Prepare for a power outage and replace the batteries in your flashlight.
Once you get these fall home maintenance tasks out of the way, take on some easy fall decorating ideas to create an autumn-inspired entrance and living area.