With the arrival of the beautiful Autumn colours, it’s easy to get lost in the crisp temperatures, Thanksgiving, and pumpkin-spiced everything. However, those seasonal changes should serve as a reminder that winter is around the corner. A little routine maintenance before the thermometer drops is a great way to prepare for the cooler months ahead, while it is still pleasant to be outside. It’s important to perform routine care and maintenance for your home before potential problems arise. You can also save time and money by scheduling some services that may be more expensive or harder to book at other times of the year. Luckily, we’ve got our list of some of the best fall home maintenance tips below.
1. Clean Eavestroughs and Gutters
When it comes to fall home maintenance, cleaning your eavestroughs and gutters is a crucial step. Throughout the summer season, they likely now have a significant build-up of leaves, seeds, sticks, and other debris. The temptation is to wait until the leaves have fallen, but in truth, you should do it again as a lead-in to winter. The best way to ensure they function effectively—and prevent ice dams in freezing weather—is to clean them out, straighten any that are not in place, and even replace those that are damaged. Cleaning your eavestroughs is a huge step in making sure your home doesn’t flood.
2. Inspect the Roof
While you are cleaning up the eavestroughs, do a roof spot check. It’s one of the most forgotten tasks when performing fall home maintenance. What you want to look for includes any missing shingles, loose or warped roofing, and/or any debris that may be building up. In some cases, you may be able to fix these issues yourself, but if it seems difficult, hire a professional. The last thing you want is to injure yourself!
3. Check Weather-Stripping and Seals
As the weather cools down, the biggest reason for turning up the thermostat is heat loss. To keep the hot air in, check around windows for places that may need new caulking. Also, check your weather-stripping to ensure its integrity. If you find questionable places, replace it! It’s a simple and usually cost-effective way of keeping your house warm in the cooler months.
4. Drain Outdoor Water Sources
Fall is generally the time when you’re going to be doing less gardening. As such, you can start to put away the majority of your gardening tools. Drain your hoses, disconnect them from the line, and put them away for the season. In the same vein, make sure there is no water dripping or remaining in outdoor pipes that can expand when frozen, which will cause major damage to your plumbing system. You should also clean outdoor taps and close water valves to all outside fixtures! This misstep for faucets and hoses can mean expensive replacements.
5. Winterproof the AC Unit
Let’s face it, any hot days that come from September on are going to be a blessing, so it’s time to retire the AC for the year. If you have window-based units, the takedown is easy. For exterior units, covering them up from the elements is also reasonably straightforward. There is nothing worse than having the first warm day of the season roll around, only to realize your AC unit is broken.
6. Get Your Heating System Inspected
Your home’s temperature control won’t work at its most efficient capacity if the filters are clogged or dirty. It’s important to have a professional come and inspect the system. Ensuring the integrity of the systems, checking for any leaks, and confirming efficiency will give you peace of mind and save you money on energy bills if you take the time to clean or replace your filters. Before it gets cold, pay extra attention to your furnace filter and make sure all systems are good to go.
7. Lawn and Yard Maintenance
To maintain a healthy lawn, there are some steps to take before the freezing temperatures arrive. Some things you can do include cutting the grass extra short, watering, and fertilizing it. Also, aerate the soil—more than once if you are able—to help the roots as much as possible. This may not seem like something you’d typically do before the colder months, however, doing this in the fall will help prevent damage over the winter and weeds in the spring. Chopping down tree limbs is also a crucial step in fall home maintenance. Get ahead of this laborious maintenance while the weather is still warm! Falling limbs in the winter due to ice and snow build-up is a common cause of home damage.
8. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Fire Extinguishers
Whether it’s firing up the furnace, oven, or fireplace, fire damage can be devastating. To mitigate the threat, spend a few minutes checking your smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries and performance. At the same time, check your fire extinguishers and remind family members where to find them and how to use them, if needed.
9. Inspect the Chimney
Make sure there are no blockages or damage to the integrity of the chimney. Not only is this a good way to keep your chimney working properly, but it is also a good chance to make sure no critters have made a home in your chimney during the colder months. You can check from the top of the roof and also by looking up from inside. Use a flashlight or attach a camera to a pole to help in your inspection. If you have any concerns, do not dismiss them. Call a professional immediately if you want a second opinion from a skilled tradesman.
10. Look Into a Programmable Thermostat
Nowadays, digital thermostats are a thing of the present. If you already have a programmable thermostat, be sure to set it to lower the temperature automatically in the evening or when you’re not home. This can result in substantial cost savings!
11. Finish Any Outdoor Painting
Many paints will struggle to dry or adhere properly when the temperature drops below 45 or 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall is a good time to touch up any exterior painting, sealing, or staining, especially before snow covers these surfaces.
12. Put Away Patio Furniture and Store Your BBQ
Some home maintenance tips can be easy, but very important! During the colder months, you won’t be making much use of your patio furniture, so time to pack it away! Be sure to clean it, remove seat cushions, and store it all somewhere dry for the winter. For those diehard grilling fans, this tip may not be for you. The last thing you want is to open your barbeque next season, only to find the weather has completely rusted. Closing your BBQ up properly is also a good method of making sure you don’t have any unwanted pests or critters making a home in it. If possible, try and store it somewhere safe, like the shed or the garage. If your barbeque is larger and can’t be moved, a simple cover will do the trick to keep it safe!
12. Keep Critters Out!
When the colder months come around, many critters, like mice, bugs, and other rodents look for places to stay warm. It is super important to make sure your home or outdoor dwellings, like your shed, are not one of them! In addition to sealing your doors and windows for heat, it is important to look for any other points of entry into your home, basement, or attic that can be desirable for critters to hide. The last thing you’d want is a family of mice making a home in your BBQ or basement, and spreading disease within your home.
13. Repair Walkways and Driveways
Fix any cracks in your walkways or driveways that may fill with ice or snow and become worse. If you live in an area that gets extensive snowfall, mark your walkway and driveway parameters so you can see them even in winter weather. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), you can be held accountable when it comes to keeping your property free from hazards. This means that if you fail to ensure your property is safe, you will be liable for what happens as a result, like a slip and fall accident. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure your guests or passersby are free from any danger, which includes all walkways on or around your property.
14. Close the Pool
Last but not least, if you have a pool in your backyard, it’s time to close it for the season. If you’re unsure how to do so yourself, you can schedule a professional to come and drain it for you. Speak with one of our isure representatives about the benefits of including pool insurance in your coverage.
Are you worried about natural disasters? Don’t know if you have coverage if an old sewer pipe deteriorates in your front yard? Speak to your isure insurance broker today to discuss your current home insurance needs, reduce your liability potential, safeguard your valuables, and be better prepared for worst-case scenarios. Once you’ve followed these fall home maintenance tips, you’re now ready to take on the cool, autumn weather. Happy fall!
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