As the crisp air of fall sets in, it's a great time to focus on essential home maintenance to ensure your property stays in top shape through the colder months. From preparing your home’s exterior to making sure your heating system is ready, here are some fall home maintenance tips that will help you safeguard your home and save money in the long run.

1. Clean and Inspect Gutters 🍂

Falling leaves can easily clog your gutters, which can lead to water damage or even foundation issues if not addressed. Make sure to:

• Clean gutters thoroughly, removing leaves, twigs, and debris.

• Check downspouts for blockages to ensure water flows freely.

• Consider installing gutter guards to prevent future clogs.

2. Check Your Roof 🏠

Your roof is your first line of defense against harsh weather. Fall is the perfect time to inspect it for any damage or wear before winter storms hit:

• Look for missing or damaged shingles.

• Check for signs of moss or algae growth, which can cause damage over time.

• Consider hiring a professional to assess the overall condition of your roof.

3. Seal Windows and Doors 🪟🚪

Drafty windows and doors can lead to higher energy bills and make your home less comfortable during the colder months. To prevent this:

• Inspect the weatherstripping around windows and doors for any gaps or wear.

• Apply caulking to seal cracks around windows and door frames.

• Consider using storm windows or installing energy-efficient windows if drafts are an ongoing issue.

4. Service Your Heating System 🔥❄️

Before the chill really sets in, it’s important to make sure your heating system is functioning properly. Routine maintenance can also extend the life of your system and improve efficiency:

• Replace or clean your furnace filter.

• Schedule a professional HVAC inspection to ensure your system is running smoothly.

• Test your thermostat to ensure it’s working correctly.

5. Chimney and Fireplace Inspection 🪵

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, fall is the time to prepare it for cozy winter nights:

• Have your chimney cleaned by a professional to remove creosote buildup, which can be a fire hazard.

• Inspect the damper and ensure it opens and closes properly.

• Stock up on firewood and keep it in a dry place.

6. Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers 💧

To prevent pipes from freezing and bursting during winter, it's crucial to winterize your outdoor water systems:

• Drain and store hoses.

• Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets, then drain the remaining water.

• Blow out your sprinkler system to remove any water that could freeze and cause damage.

7. Inspect Insulation and Attic Ventilation 🕵️‍♂️

Proper insulation can help keep your home warm in winter and reduce energy costs. Now’s the time to:

• Check for any gaps or thin spots in your attic insulation.

• Ensure that attic ventilation is functioning properly to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mold or ice dams.

8. Trim Trees and Shrubs 🌿

Overgrown branches can be a hazard during storms, especially if they hang over your roof or power lines:

• Prune trees and shrubs, trimming back any limbs that are too close to the house.

• Remove any dead or dying branches to prevent them from falling during a storm.

• Consider hiring a tree service for larger trees or more extensive pruning.

9. Check Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors 💨

With more time spent indoors and increased use of heating systems, it’s important to ensure that your home’s safety systems are in good working order:

• Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Test the devices to ensure they are functioning properly.

• If your detectors are older than 10 years, consider replacing them.

10. Test Outdoor Lighting and Security 💡

With the days getting shorter, fall is a good time to check and update your outdoor lighting:

• Ensure that motion-sensor lights and security lighting are working properly.

• Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

• Consider adding additional lighting near walkways or entry points for better safety and security during darker months.

Conclusion

Fall home maintenance is essential to prepare for winter’s harsh conditions. By tackling these tasks early, you can prevent costly repairs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure your home remains comfortable and safe. Investing a little time and effort now will pay off with a warm, worry-free home as the temperature drops.

Ready to tackle your fall maintenance checklist? Start early and enjoy the season knowing your home is ready for whatever winter may bring!

Sources:

• Better Homes & Gardens - https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/your-homes-fall-checklist/

• This Old House - https://www.thisoldhouse.com/

• Bob Vila - https://www.bobvila.com/

• Family Handyman - https://www.familyhandyman.com/

• The Spruce - https://www.thespruce.com/

• Redfin - https://www.redfin.com/blog/fall-home-maintenance-checklist/

When preparing your property to show, work your way from the outside in. It is essential that your home possess a certain “drive up appeal.” Remember, a potential buyer’s first impression of your house is formed while s/he is still sitting in the realtor’s car. So, first you need to view your house from this perspective. Go stand on the opposite curb and observe your property. Compare it to surrounding properties. Concentrate on the following three areas.

1. Landscaping

How does your landscaping measure up compared to the rest of the neighbourhood? If you guess it would rate below-average, make a few adjustments. You might want to consider buying some bushes and planting them around the property. Do not buy trees, however, as mature trees are expensive, so you will not see a return on your investment. And immature trees don’t tend to significantly improve the immediate appearance of your home.

If the problem with your yard isn’t a case of too little greenery, but rather too much, get out the pruning shears. The purpose of landscaping is to complement the home, not hide it. Overgrown shrubs should be sheared to a height near the bottom of the windows. Remove any ivy clinging to the side of the house. Tree limbs should be high enough that you’re able to walk beneath. Trim any branches that bar the way.

Your lawn should be freshly cut and watered, and an even colour. If there are brown spots, make sure you begin to remedy this well in advance of putting the house on the market. You may want to re-sod areas, and you need to make sure these spots are given enough time to grow, so they will match the existing lawn. Also, if you decide to use fertilizer, you’ll want to allow enough time for it to take effect. Rake up any leaves or grass cuttings.

Planting a few flowers is an easy way to add colour and vibrancy to your yard, enhancing the first impression of your home. Invest in a full flat of mature, colourful flowers, such as petunias or periwinkles, which last the length of the growing season. Do not buy bulbs or seeds—they won’t necessarily grow enough by the time you begin showing to achieve the desired effect. If you don’t have an area in which to plant flowers, consider purchasing a few flower pots for your porch and planting flowers or blooming plants. If you have a pool, keep it sparkling and leaf-free.

2. House Exterior

When you view your house from across the street, does it appear weathered or faded? If so, it’s probably time to treat it to a fresh coat of paint. This is usually a sound investment; new paint can do wonders to increase a home’s perceived value. Stay away from unusual or loud colours. The new colour should fit in with surrounding houses, and complement the style and structure of your house.

Examine the roof closely. Old or leaking roofs should be replaced. If there are leaks, you’ll have to disclose this detail to the home buyer anyway, and they will want it replaced. If there isn’t any apparent damage, however, wait for word from the home inspector before making repairs.

3. The Front Door and Porch

The front door and surrounding area should look particularly fresh and welcoming, as this will be the buyer’s first up-close impression as they enter the house. If you paint nothing else, at least give the door a new coat. Replace the doorbell if it is broken and polish the door fixture until it gleams. Wash the mail box. Keep the porch swept and buy a new plush door mat. All of these little things will contribute to the overall effect of a well cared-for and welcoming home.

Ensure the lock works smoothly and the key fits properly. When a home buyer visits your house, the realtor will open the front door with a key. You don’t want the buyers’ first experience to be of waiting on the doorstep while the realtor fumbles with the lock.