Fall is a great time to take some time to do some repairs around the home before the cold winter air settles in. Living in Ohio, weather can be all over the place. Anything from extreme cold and snow to mild sunny days, we never know what to expect as the weeks go by. So before the days get shorter and the weather takes a turn for the worst, take some time to cross these items off the to-do list, to prevent any damage that might occur through the cold winter months.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
- Make Exterior Repairs – Keep your outside air out and inside air in by sealing up any air leaks in your home. Use caulk to seal cracks and openings between door frames, windows, pipes, and any other stationary house components. Now is the time to inspect the roof to see if there are any cracked, missing, or damaged shingles and flashing should be inspected for any type of damage.
- De-Gunk Your Gutters – Throughout the summer leaves and grime have begun to accumulate in your gutters. Towards the end of fall, even more leaves clog up your gutters. If left full of debris, clogged gutters and drains can cause water to pool or form ice dams that prevent your systems from working properly. This alone can cause damage to your roof or siding.
- Drain your Irrigation System and Unhook Hoses – It’s super important to drain irrigation systems and put your outdoor hoses away. This will help prevent your pipes from freezing up which can lead to busted pipes and broken sprinkler heads.
- Inspect your Furnace and Check Duct Work – Ensuring your furnace is in good working order is a great safety precaution to take. Ensuring this furnace is working properly will also save you in energy costs because the system should be working properly and not overworking. Checking duct work is also an important task to ensure you’re not losing any of your warm air in places that it’s not wanted or needed. Cleaning out the air filters are also a great thing to add to your list to ensure your family is breathing in clean air.
- Care for Tress and Shrubs – Fall is a great time to care for trees and shrubs to ensure your house isn’t prone to damage through the cold months. You should try and keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so moisture won’t drip onto roofing and siding, and to prevent damage to your house exterior during high winds.
