 Most people find Fall Cleaning a tedious and often never-ending task – especially when those pesky leaves seem to never stop falling! But a weekend’s work is well worth the effort. Use these fall home maintenance tips at your home.
1. CHIMNEY – Have your chimney cleaned and inspected. If you have fires regularly, your chimney should be inspected once per year. You should also have your chimney’s exterior inspected for cracks or repairs needed in the masonry.
2. GUTTERS – Clean and check your gutters. Leaves can attract pests, rodents, and mold. Clogs can create water build up and wreak havoc in a winter storm. To protect your foundation, make sure downspouts carry water away from the home. If your downspouts go towards your deck, get tubing to carry water to the ground rather than directly onto your deck. This could increase slip and fall risk with a higher likelihood of freezing.
3. STORAGE – Move paint, caulk, and adhesives inside to avoid freezing. Move cleaning supplies and products inside as well. Store your deck furniture to avoid them blowing in the Fall wind. This also includes any rugs or other decorative unsecure items.
4. WATER SOURCES – Unplug and drain your water hose. Then safely secure it in a shed or other storage container. Be sure the faucet is closed all the way to stop any unexpected drips and freezing during the winter.
5. POTS & BIRDBATHS – Empty and cover birdbaths or flip them over. Excess water remaining in a pot or birdbath will freeze when temps get low. Over time, this contraction and expansion will give way and cause damage to your birdbath or pot. By the spring, you will see the damage that could have been prevented.
 6. PAVERS & GRASS – Many sidewalks and pavers have grass lined areas. This is very pretty, but when the snow starts to fall, it’ll be hard to tell the difference. Be sure to trim the grass so when you need to shovel the pathway, you won’t dig into the grass or damage the pavers.
7. INSULATION – Insulation is a very cost-effective way to save on your energy bills. Get an energy audit to see where you might be missing or need to replace some insulation.
8. ROOFING – Check flashing around the seams of your roof, look for damaged shingles, and remove any branches that hang over your home.
9. WINDOWS & DOORS – Check for drafts around windows and doors. Add weather stripping as need. Extreme drafts may need a repair. Remember, it’s not just keeping the cold weather out… it’ll also keep pests and rodents away.
10. CLEAN UP – By mid-November, and depending upon where you live even sooner, you’ll want to clean and maintain your home’s exterior. Leaves are often the first thing people think of… but it’s the Summer build-up that can leave a lasting result. Use a simple multi-purpose cleaner to clean your deck from dirt, BBQ grease, sunscreen, etc. Use a paver cleaner for your sidewalk, patio, and pavers. This will help your Spring Cleaning efforts tremendously.
When you’re done cleaning your home’s exterior… you’ll find comfort in knowing you did all you could do to prepare for the Winter. Now, all you have to think about is which decorations you’re going to use this year!
Many of the Fall Maintenance Tips are DIY. As most homeowners, you will do these yourself. But if you can’t properly inspect certain areas, or if you find repairs are more involved than you can handle, please call your local contractor. Remember, safety first!
Want to plan ahead for next Spring? Schedule a Spring Cleaning including a complete deck revitalization treatment.
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