Plan Your Home’s Fall Maintenance

Everybody lives busy lives, and making time for home tasks can be challenging. Spending an afternoon watching college football or going to the beach is a lot more fun than doing maintenance.

But, as a homeowner, your home’s consistent upkeep helps preserve your home’s value and prevent some avoidable and costly damage, which can translate to more money in your pocket!

Maintenance in the fall is essential since it’s sandwiched between the hot days of summer and the winter rain. It can be a productive time for you to complete specific tasks that are better suited for its cooler days.

Many homeowners experience expensive damage, often preventable in the first place. Don’t let that happen to you! Plus, these projects in the early and late fall can prepare your home and yard for the days of winter ahead.

Now is an excellent time to look at your calendar and schedule some must-do projects over the next couple of months.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Even if you live in a condo unit, there are still some yearly tasks that you should check off your list, such as HVAC maintenance. Your condo association should handle common areas but each association can vary on unit owners’ responsibilities. Double check on this and keep the tips below in mind.
• Some projects can be DIY jobs but others may require a professional. For some tasks, it’s better to sign up for a yearly service contract (i.e., HVAC and pest control). We can provide you with a list of reputable contractors!

Get Organized Today

Don’t feel overwhelmed with this list of fall tasks below. It is longer than other seasons, and many might not pertain to your particular home. But if you stay organized, it won’t be too hard to handle.

Stay organized by creating a maintenance binder or downloading a maintenance app for your smartphone or other devices so you can schedule and record your repairs and upkeep.

That way, you’ll know what you have to do each month and how to budget for it. On certain apps, you can even set up alerts to remind you.

Having a system in place means you’ll be able to store information on repair dates and costs, contact info for contractors, any receipts from purchases, warranties, model numbers, and manufacturer materials. 

Your Handy Fall To-Do List

You can customize our list below for your own home and put it in your binder/app for fall maintenance.

Doors and Windows

Fall is an excellent time to do these tasks:

Add or replace weather-stripping around doors and windows.

Caulk around windows to prevent rainwater seepage.

Give your windows one more thorough cleaning.

Home Exterior

Prevent minor issues from becoming huge issues:

Gutters:

• Clean out gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris.
• Blocked gutters can cause water damage to your home at any time.
• Make sure your gutters are directed so that they drain as far away from the house as possible and on a downslope. Check on this regularly during rainstorms to prevent major water damage.

Inspect the roof for any damage to shingles and double-check seals around vents to prevent any leaks.

Seal foundation cracks to prevent mice from sneaking in.

Inspect your driveway for cracks. Seal it now to prevent winter damage.

Power Failures & Severe Weather

Always be prepared for any weather disaster:

Buy and store flashlights, batteries, candles, and matches in easy-to-reach locations. Get those battery-operated candles, too, if you’re worried about small children!

Keep extra water bottles, nonperishable food (for pets too!), blankets, and necessary medications on hand.

Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and put them in your phone’s contact list and any alert apps/text services that your community provides.

Let me know if you have any questions and if you need any suggestions for contractors that could help get your list of to-do’s done.