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September 26th, 2017 by

Your Home's Fall ChecklistChanging leaves, a fresh crispness in the air—all the signs are here. Colder weather is on its way, and it's important to make sure your house is ready for it. Our real estate agents want to help make sure that autumn weather won't damage your house. This fall home maintenance checklist will ensure that you're prepared for the chilly months ahead.

  1. Care for trees and shrubs. A little TLC is important to help your landscape get through the winter. Fall is an especially good time to prune away dead wood from trees and shrubs.
  2. Seal the gaps. Armed with weather-stripping and caulk, look for air leaks around windows and doors. These drafts lead to a chillier house and higher heating bills if left unchecked, plus they can let critters in.
  3. Keep an eye on the roof. Give your roof a pre-winter checkup for damaged or curled shingles, leaky vents and corroded flashing (or hire a professional to do so if you don't feel comfortable climbing up there yourself).
  4. Stock up on supplies. Take the time to assess your supply of fall and winter tools, and replenish anything that may be lacking. This includes lawn rakes and snow shovels, as well as de-icing products and emergency supplies.
  5. Walks and walkways. Now is a good time to repair sidewalks, steps and driveways. Winter ice can cause damage to these areas to worsen, and potentially cause hazardously icy conditions.
  6. Avoid frozen pipes. Drain and winterize all your home's outdoor faucets and irrigation systems to avoid freezing.
  7. Mind your gutters. Fall is an important time to inspect and clean gutters and downspouts. Taking the time to make sure they're clear of leaves and other debris will prevent leaks and ice problems when winter rolls around. This is a good job to save until late fall, when all the leaves are already down from the trees.
  8. Change your filter. Your furnace works hardest in winter, so start the season off right by replacing old, dirty furnace filters.
  9. Schedule an HVAC check-up. Speaking of your furnace now is the time for its annual physical. Have a professional to inspect your heating system to make sure it's up to the task of keeping your house warm and cozy.
  10. Tend to your windows. Install storm windows and doors, and remove screens. Clean and repair the screens, spray them with a protective coating, and then store them in a dry area, like the basement or garage.
  11. Tune up your fireplace. If there's a fireplace or wood stove in your home, check it thoroughly for soot and creosote build-up. If your fireplace hasn't been looked at in a while (like, since last fall) it's best to make an appointment with a professional chimney-sweep.
  12. Check the paint job. Have a look at your exterior walls for flaking, cracked, peeling or blistering paint. When this happens, paint can no longer protect the wood or siding underneath from the elements. Set aside a few warm, sunny fall days for touching up and repainting if needed.
  13. Brush up on safety. Make a home safety check an annual fall ritual in your household. Test and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, inspect all fire extinguishers, eliminate fire hazards, and review your family's fire escape plan.

To learn more about how to protect your home from the elements, contact Cressy & Everett Real Estate today. We're committed to helping you find the perfect home for you and your family, and to making sure it keeps you safe and warm for years to come!

 

Categories: Homeownership
Tags: Home safety, Home maintenance, Home inspection

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