Fall is one of my favourite seasons, and I can’t get enough of the beautiful foliage, cozy attire and chilly-yet-comfortable weather. However, when it comes to your home, the change of seasons signifies that it’s time to do an inspection and make sure everything is winter ready. Proper maintenance helps avoid expensive repair bills down the road and makes living in your home much more comfortable in the colder months. Here are some of my tips for home maintenance in the fall:
Inspect Your Roof Carefully
Don’t let a leaky roof make you miserable during the winter months. Experts recommend visually inspecting your roof for bent, cracked or missing shingles. Is your roof at its end? Consider having it replaced. Though it may be costly, it beats expensive repair bills from water damage.
Check Your Gutters
Keep your gutters clear of leaves and other debris so early winter rains don’t cause them to clog and spill over. To make cleaning easier, wait for drier days to reach in and get to work. Don’t forget to check for leaks, too!
Clear the Backyard
As snow will start to pile up in the backyard, now is the time to start putting away items you won’t be using. For example, patio chairs, lawnmowers, and outdoor tools don’t hold up well in the winter. Make sure you clear out any old vegetation, so you don’t have smelly surprises in the spring.
Disconnect Your Outdoor Hose
Outdoor faucets are not protected from freezing temperatures, so ensure you shut them all off and put away your hose. Afterwards, run the tap to drain out any excess water that could freeze later, and cover the hose bibb (you can find inexpensive covers at your local hardware store). Frozen pipes can cause all kinds of damage – so don’t neglect them!
Inspect Your Furnace
It’s time to turn up the heat – so make sure your furnace is ready and safe to use. Have the air filter changed and buy extra to stock up. Next, I recommend calling an inspector to check the entire system and look for signs of carbon monoxide buildup. After, check the vents and heating ducts for dust buildup and random debris.
There’s nothing better than a clean home ready for the season! More importantly, regular seasonal maintenance ensures your home is safe and working as it should, keeping you and your family healthy and from avoiding substantial repair bills. Every little bit of cleaning helps! Make the most out of the beautiful fall and winter months with proper home maintenance.