Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall is a good time to take care of big home repair projects before shorter days (and in many areas, ice and snow) make outdoor work too difficult. Tick these 10 items off your list this season, and you can rest easy knowing that your home and yard are buttoned up and ready for winter.

1. Rake leaves.
Leaves look beautiful blanketing the ground, but leaving too many leaves on a lawn over winter in a snowy area can inhibit spring growth. Using a lightweight rake can help.

2. Clean gutters and downspouts.
Once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out gutters and downspouts (can hire out). Clogged gutters during storms can cause water to pool and damage your roof or siding.

3. Make exterior repairs.
Take a walk around your property, looking for signs of damage to the roof, siding and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it before winter.

4. Stock up on winter supplies.
If you live in a region with cold, snowy winters, fall is the time to prepare. Check the condition of snow shovels and ice scrapers. Restock emergency kits for car and home.

5. Conduct an energy audit.
A trained auditor can assess your home’s current energy efficiency and give you a list of recommended improvements you can make, such as weather stripping.

6. Check walkways, railings, stairs and the driveway for winter safety.
Walking from the driveway to the front door can be tough when there is ice and snow. Check that stairs are in good shape and driveway is in good repair for easier shoveling.

7. Clean dryer vents.
Lint buildup in dryer vents can make your dryer work less efficiently and even cause a fire – cool, dry fall weather increases electricity. Now is a good time to get the lint out.

8. Shut off exterior faucets and store hoses.
Protect your pipes from freezing temperatures by shutting off water to exterior faucets before the weather dips below freezing. Drain hoses and store them indoors.

9. Check safety devices.
Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on  your fire extinguisher. Check your home for radon, as well.

10. Deep clean kitchen.
Take a day to tackle some of the more labor-intensive tasks to keep your kitchen working efficiently and looking great. You will need to degrease the range hood and filter, clean the oven, scrub the tile grout, clean the light fixtures, wash the walls and backsplash, wash the garbage can and recycling bins, as well as clean small appliances.

Source: Laura Gaskill, Houzz Contributor, Forbes.com

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