Autumn Home Maintenance Checklist
Knock out these home maintenance tasks before the temperature drops.
With the start of autumn comes crunchy leaves, cozy beverages, and a welcome relief from the heat of summer. For homeowners, the transition of the seasons also serves as a great reminder to complete a few key home maintenance tasks. As colder weather closes in, make sure you’ve checked off this autumn home maintenance checklist.
Deep Clean
As cold and flu season descends, take the time to deeply disinfect your home. Whether you have children who have recently returned to school or you’re simply spending more time indoors, giving yourself the benefit of a truly clean home can work wonders for your health. Many homeowners also have their carpets and rugs deep cleaned in the fall.
Possibly even more important than disinfecting the surfaces in your home is cleaning out the ducts and vents. Inspect and cleanse your heating ducts and dryer vents to promote healthy air quality and prevent fire hazards.
Clean Gutters and Chimney
Ensure that any winter moisture flows away from your home by cleaning out your gutters and checking on the grading around your house. With these measures taken care of, you can help prevent a flooded crawl space or damaged foundation. Especially once the leaves have finished falling from the trees, doing a final scrape of all gutters and drains can make a world of difference.
If you have a chimney, clean it thoroughly before you begin using it again for the season. Check that the cap is in good condition, that there are no branches or leaves clogging it or hanging close to the opening, and that there is no large buildup of soot. These measures can keep your chimney working efficiently and prevent fire hazards.
Seal All Gaps
Make the most of your climate control spending by ensuring that there are no stray gaps or cracks throughout your home. Check for drafts around windows and doors and look for gaps in ceilings and walls. Use caulk and weatherstrip to fill in any cracks to allow your heating system to work efficiently and to keep pests from finding their way indoors.
Check Your Heating
Heating systems have a way of breaking down on the chilliest night of the year. Prevent this discomfort for your household by inspecting your furnace or boiler before the weather cools down. Replace the air filters for optimal efficiency and air quality, and bring in a professional for any needed repairs.
Trim Trees and Bushes
Getting the exterior of your home cleaned up is just as important as tending to the interior. Wind and heavy storms can wreak havoc on overgrown branches, creating a hazard to your house and community. Prune before chilly weather sets in to protect your landscaping and improve your curb appeal through the colder months.
You can protect the value and function of your home by tending to these simple details as the seasons change. While these seasonal chores are far from thrilling, they can make all the difference in the health of your household and the condition of your home.
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