As summer begins to ebb away, it’s time to turn your attention to what fall may bring. When it comes to property maintenance, preparing your home for fall is an essential task. By taking the time to ensure your home is ready for the fall season, you can avoid unnecessary interruptions to your services, as well as subsequent maintenance and repairs. You can even make your property safer overall. What's more, keeping your property well-maintained regardless of the season can only help to increase its overall value. To get started, let's take a look at these 12 essential tasks to undertake to make sure your home is ready for fall.
Preparing Your Home for Fall
1. Check The Roof
Years of stormy weather can wreak havoc on your roof, from wind and rain to snow and hail and everything in between. With more inclement weather on the horizon, it's imperative that you check your roof now for missing, loose or damaged tiles; leaks, holes and other damage. You'll want to remove any debris that may have found its way up to your roof as well. Check out the infographic below for more info on how to inspect your roof and what to look for, or check out this 7 step tutorial from First American Roofing. Remember, if you're not comfortable doing it on your own, you can hire professionals whose job it is to do just that. As well as having the appropriate equipment, their knowledge and expertise will ensure that the roof can be thoroughly checked.
Years of stormy weather can wreak havoc on your roof, from wind and rain to snow and hail and everything in between. With more inclement weather on the horizon, it's imperative that you check your roof now for missing, loose or damaged tiles; leaks, holes and other damage. You'll want to remove any debris that may have found its way up to your roof as well. Check out the infographic below for more info on how to inspect your roof and what to look for, or check out this 7 step tutorial from First American Roofing. Remember, if you're not comfortable doing it on your own, you can hire professionals whose job it is to do just that. As well as having the appropriate equipment, their knowledge and expertise will ensure that the roof can be thoroughly checked.
Infographic courtesy of All County Exteriors
2. Add Weatherstripping To Windows And Doors
In the colder months you’re more likely to notice drafts around your windows and doors then you would at any other time of year. When cold air sneaks its way into your home, you’ll no doubt spend more money on your energy bills.
Weatherstripping is a simple yet effective way to minimize drafts and improve your home’s thermal efficiency. By sealing air leaks around windows and doors, it can prevent drafts and keep your home feeling warm and welcoming. What’s more – most weatherstripping and draft stoppers are easy to apply and install.
  3M Silicone Weather Stripping, amazon.com |
  Door Draft Stopper, amazon.com |
3. Schedule Your HVAC Service
As summer draws to a close, now is a good time to make the most of air conditioner repair service, installation & maintenance too. Having your HVAC system professionally cleaned and maintained now means that dust, dirt, and germs are removed from ducts and equipment and will ensure a smooth fall and winter season. Not only will servicing your HVAC improve the air quality inside your home, but it will also allow the system to run more efficiently, which reduces your energy costs and minimizes wear and tear on your HVAC unit.
4. Check Exterior Siding And Brickwork
Checking brickwork, stonework and siding gives you a chance to identify cracks or holes on the outside of your property. More importantly, you’ll have the opportunity make repairs before further damage is caused. For example, when moisture enters your home through a cracked and damaged foundation, it can easily cause major mold issues and worse, structural issues. Foundation cracks can be repaired, either DIY or, in more extreme situations, by a professional.
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5. Inspect Nearby Trees
If you have trees on your property, you'll want to inspect them now before heavy winds and rain are forecasted. Dead, damaged and/or diseased trees are a potential hazard, so you'll want to ensure they are trimmed or removed before the fall season really gets underway.
In addition to checking for unhealthy trees, look for any that might have overhanging branches close to your house and or garage. Also, look for trees that might be dangerously close to power lines. Call your local utility company at once to report any trees you find that might be affecting power lines.
6. Clean Your Gutters
Over time, debris and leaves accumulate in gutters which can prevent them from properly draining rainwater. If a blockage occurs, water will overflow and cascade down the side of your property, which can cause damage to your home's walls and foundation. Spring and fall are the perfect times to check your gutters and give them a quick cleaning.
Gutter cleaning is a relatively easy job, and involves a sturdy ladder, thick gardening gloves, a trowel and your hose. If you can't or just don't want to, you can hire someone to clean the gutters for you. Do a quick online search for reputable gutter cleaners in your area and check reviews. You can also ask your friends, family and neighbors who they might recommend as well.
If you have trees on your property, you'll want to inspect them now before heavy winds and rain are forecasted. Dead, damaged and/or diseased trees are a potential hazard, so you'll want to ensure they are trimmed or removed before the fall season really gets underway.
In addition to checking for unhealthy trees, look for any that might have overhanging branches close to your house and or garage. Also, look for trees that might be dangerously close to power lines. Call your local utility company at once to report any trees you find that might be affecting power lines.
6. Clean Your Gutters
Over time, debris and leaves accumulate in gutters which can prevent them from properly draining rainwater. If a blockage occurs, water will overflow and cascade down the side of your property, which can cause damage to your home's walls and foundation. Spring and fall are the perfect times to check your gutters and give them a quick cleaning.
Gutter cleaning is a relatively easy job, and involves a sturdy ladder, thick gardening gloves, a trowel and your hose. If you can't or just don't want to, you can hire someone to clean the gutters for you. Do a quick online search for reputable gutter cleaners in your area and check reviews. You can also ask your friends, family and neighbors who they might recommend as well.
7. Stow Away Outdoor Furniture
If you’ve enjoyed spending time on your deck or patio this summer, then you no doubt have a plethora of furniture and decor scattered about. Don't waste your investment by leaving your patio furniture out in the elements this fall and winter; instead, cover or store your furniture properly. A garage, an offsite storage facility, your basement or a shed are perfect spots for storing off-season patio items. If you don't have the space to store your furniture out-of-site, then be sure to cover well with waterproof covers made specifically for outdoor furniture, and check to be sure they are tied down and covered properly throughout the colder months.
If you’ve enjoyed spending time on your deck or patio this summer, then you no doubt have a plethora of furniture and decor scattered about. Don't waste your investment by leaving your patio furniture out in the elements this fall and winter; instead, cover or store your furniture properly. A garage, an offsite storage facility, your basement or a shed are perfect spots for storing off-season patio items. If you don't have the space to store your furniture out-of-site, then be sure to cover well with waterproof covers made specifically for outdoor furniture, and check to be sure they are tied down and covered properly throughout the colder months.
  4 Pc Outdoor Furniture Cover Set, amazon.com |
  74"Lx47"Wx27.8"H Outdoor Furniture Cover, amazon.com |
8. Check Your Tools & Equipment
In fall, you’re likely to use different tools and equipment to keep your property maintained than you would in the warmer months. For example, a leaf blower or snow blower.
If you haven’t used this equipment since last fall and winter, there’s a good chance it will need a little maintenance before it’s working optimally again. By checking now, you’ll have time to purchase spare parts or make repairs before the season begins.
9. Tackle Exterior Paint Jobs Now
If you have an exterior home improvement project planned that involves painting, you might want to adjust your schedule and get started right away. The increased risk of rainfall (especially heading into November) could prevent you from completing any sort of outdoor paint jobs. By tackling exterior painting projects now, you can enjoy the results of your hard work without having inclement weather impede them.
10. Confirm Your Property Insurance Policy
If you have home or property insurance, now is a good time to review the policy details to make sure you're properly covered. Many homeowners assume that their homeowner's policy covers every eventuality, but this is not always the case. In fact, you might be surprised at how much is excluded from a standard policy.
If necessary, you can increase your level of coverage or take out a separate policy to provide extra protection. For example, some policies may not cover damage caused by adverse weather, so you may want to consider purchasing a policy that will cover potential property damage that can occur during heavy storms or flooding.
11. Aerate The Lawn
An aerator makes small holes in the lawn that allow water and nutrients to be absorbed into the soil. Usually, it’s advisable to aerate a lawn at least once a year but many property owners prefer to do this at least twice (spring and fall) to achieve the best results.
September and October are the best months to aerate and de-thatch the lawn, giving its roots a chance to recover from a long, hot summer and prepare them for a thriving spring. Manual aerators are pretty inexpensive, but if you don't have the wherewithal to aerate the lawn yourself, you can hire a landscaper to do it for you.
An aerator makes small holes in the lawn that allow water and nutrients to be absorbed into the soil. Usually, it’s advisable to aerate a lawn at least once a year but many property owners prefer to do this at least twice (spring and fall) to achieve the best results.
September and October are the best months to aerate and de-thatch the lawn, giving its roots a chance to recover from a long, hot summer and prepare them for a thriving spring. Manual aerators are pretty inexpensive, but if you don't have the wherewithal to aerate the lawn yourself, you can hire a landscaper to do it for you.
  Heavy Duty Rolling Lawn Aerator, amazon.com |
  Manual Spike Lawn Aerator, amazon.com |
12. Check Alarms & Smoke Detectors
Smoke and fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers should be checked at regular intervals, so why not add this to your fall property maintenance checklist? Replacing batteries on a regular basis (if required) and checking that your home alarms and detectors are in good working order will give you peace of mind.
Similarly, you can check that your home security system is working optimally at the same time. As it gets darker earlier in the fall, security concerns typically increase at this time of year. By checking your home security alarms, CCTV and doorbell cameras, you can ensure that you have effective security measures in place.
  10 Year Combination Smoke & C02 Detector With LCD, amazon.com |
  2 Pc. 10-Year Battery Operated Smoke & C02 Detector, amazon.com |
Protect Your Property All Year Round
Maintaining your property is a great way to protect your investment and maximize your safety, as well as avoiding potentially costly repairs. By doing so, you can identify the seasonal tasks that are most required to keep your property in tip-top condition and ensure that your home is well-maintained all year round.
Maintaining your property is a great way to protect your investment and maximize your safety, as well as avoiding potentially costly repairs. By doing so, you can identify the seasonal tasks that are most required to keep your property in tip-top condition and ensure that your home is well-maintained all year round.
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