31 Best Home Maintenance Tips For Fall
As the vibrant colors of summer begin to fade and the air turns crisp, it’s time to shift our focus to the upcoming season. For those homeowners in cooler climates, that means it’s time to get your home ready for colder weather. Your home is one of your biggest investments, and proper maintenance will ensure it’s kept in good shape. Of course, there are things that you should be doing all year long, as laid out for you in the complete Home Maintenance Checklist, broken down for you by season. For now though let’s focus on the fall home maintenance tips and go over 31 tasks that you should be doing now.
In this comprehensive guide, we’re breaking down the essential home maintenance tasks into two parts to ensure your residence is primed for the changing seasons. Part 1 focuses on 18 specific tasks tailored for fall, guiding you through the crucial steps to safeguard your home against the elements and maintain its warmth and comfort. In Part 2, we dive into 13 monthly tasks designed to keep your home in top shape year-round. By incorporating these into your routine, you’ll ensure that your living spaces remain not only inviting but also efficient and secure.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
These are tasks specific to fall as they help to prepare your home for the winter weather that will be coming soon. Let’s first dive into the 18 tips for fall home maintenance.
Rake Leaves
Not only does raking the leaves make your lawn look better, it will keep it healthier too. Leaf piles that build up can suffocate your lawn by blocking the natural sunlight that your grass needs. Patches of leaves left on your lawn can also encourage mold growth and promote “snow molds“. Which, according to The University Of Massachusetts Amherst’s Center For Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, are a group of funguses that can damage your lawn. They are commonly found in cooler weather, but can happen any time of the year.
Make this job easier with a leaf blower/vacuum/mulcher tool. Check out my review of one here.
Drain and Turn Off Sprinklers
Freezing temperatures can spell disaster to your sprinkler system if water is left in there. Drain your irrigation system now. This prevents cracks and broken lines due to water expanding when the temperature falls below the freezing point.
Put Away Garden Hoses, Winterize Exterior Water Spigots
First, disconnect all garden hoses from the spigots and put them inside for the winter if possible. Then, apply a foam faucet cover to the spigot. Even if you have a frost free faucet, there are still washers and gaskets inside the faucet that will benefit from the extra insulation that the foam cover will provide.
If you do not have an anti frost spigot, then you will need to perform a few extra steps to ensure the faucet is winterized. Begin by shutting off the water supply valve to the faucet, located inside the basement or crawlspace. Then, go back outside and open the faucet, leave it open for a few hours to ensure all of the water gets drained out. After it’s all drained, you can close it, and apply a foam faucet cover to the spigot outside. Finally, return to the shut off valve and place a bucket underneath. You’ll find a drain plug on the side of the shut off valve that you’ll need to open up to drain the water out.
For more information on how to prevent pipes from freezing, check out Do This Now To Keep Your Pipes From Freezing This Winter.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Debris and water can find its way in to your gutters due to falling leaves. It’s important to clean this out before winter. If left in your gutters, it could freeze when the temperatures drop. This freezing can cause damage to your gutters, as well as adding extra weight to them that can cause them to pull away from your house. Not to mention clogging up your gutters, which then leaves the rain and snow with no where to go to drain properly and can spell trouble for your roof and your foundation.
Related Post: Step by Step How To Clean Gutters and Best Time To Clean Gutters
Inspect Roof
Since your roof is the cover to your home, it’s crucial that you ensure it is in good working order to handle the snow and ice that will be coming soon. Perform a roof inspection to check for any loose or missing shingles, or leaks. If you have a steep, or high roof, it is best to call in a professional for this. Not only is that safer for you, but it takes a trained eye to spot any issues and damage.
Clean Exterior Windows
Removing accumulated dirt, grime, and residue from summer’s heat ensures that you can fully enjoy the crisp views and natural light that autumn brings. Clean windows also contribute to better indoor air quality since you’ll most likely be opening the windows up for the cooler fall air.
Pressure Wash Windows & Siding
All of the rain and inclement weather throughout the spring and summer can leave a build up on your home. This build up can then solidify during the winter. Give your home a quick pressure wash to remove all of this debris and get your house clean and ready for winter.
Check out Are Electric Pressure Washers Any Good to see how they hold up against a gas powered one and we’ve got you covered with step by step instructions on how to power wash your siding.
Related Post: How To Power Wash Your Siding
Check Concrete and Repair If Needed
Concrete surfaces can begin to crack over time due to tree roots, shifting of the ground, heavy loads, and of course from the constant refreezing and thawing that happens over the winter. It’s important to repair any cracks that you have now to keep them under control and prevent them from doing further damage.
In order to stop the crack from spreading, fill it in with a flexible sealant. The sealant will create a water tight bond within the concrete. Since the sealant is flexible, it will move with the concrete as it continues to expand and contract. Check out How To Fill In Cracks In Your Concrete for more information.
If your concrete has cracked and/or shifted and the slabs are no longer level, or they are raised, or sunken in, you can look at having it mud jacked, or injected with Polyurethane. After which you can apply a flexible sealant to the cracks to help prevent that from happening again.
Related Post: How To Fill Cracks In Your Concrete
Inspect and Clean Fireplace
For wood burning fireplaces, creosote can build up in your fireplace with each use. It can take only a small amount of build up to put you at risk for a chimney fire. Additionally, the chimney can house storm debris and pests/nests. It is recommended that you sweep your fireplace after every season, or now before the chilly season begins. This is good not only to clean out the creosote build up, but to clear the chimney of any blockages like storm debris or animal nests. If the smoke cannot find it’s way out like it’s supposed to, then that could expose you to carbon monoxide. It’s also good to check the chimney and fireplace for cracks or damage.
As for gas fireplaces, an inspection is also recommended to ensure your logs and chimney are in good working order. And to ensure there is nothing blocking your chimney.
Related Post: Don’t Skip Your Fireplace Cleaning This Year
Clean Window and Door Screens
Window screens collect a lot of dirt, dust, and allergens throughout the warmer months. Give them a good cleaning to rid them of that debris. This also provides you with a better view. Additionally, they can break down over time, so it’s important to give them a good cleaning twice per year. You can clean them fast using only water and dish soap with this method here. If you can store them inside during the winter when they won’t be used, that will help to increase their longevity. If you notice any that are sagging, torn, or damaged, you can repair them easy.
Related Post: How To Clean Window Screens Fast
Clean Kitchen Exhaust Hood and Filter
You may be wondering why this is in the fall home maintenance checklist. Cleaning your kitchen exhaust hood and filter should be done at least every 6 months. More so if you do a lot of cooking. Grease and dirt can build up in there and put you at risk for fire. As well as reducing the life and efficiency of your hood. Whether you do this in the fall and spring, or winter and summer, be sure to do it at least twice per year.
Easily clean the filters by dropping them in a pot of boiling water with baking soda added. Boil for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to slowly add in the baking soda to the boiling water to prevent it from boiling over.
Related Post:
Check Caulking and Weather Stripping
Keeping rain, snow, and ice out of your home is very important in thee coming winter months. Not only that, the cold air can, and will find its way in to your home through cracks or gaps. And that reduces your energy efficiency. Ensure the caulking around your windows and doors are in good shape. Replace any that has cracked or come loose. Be sure not to caulk over any weep holes that may be present in your windows. Check the weather stripping too around all doors and replace any that has come loose or damaged.
Replace Batteries In Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Since a smoke or carbon monoxide detector needs a battery to operate properly, ensure you have good working batteries in them. Changing them twice per year is recommended. Even in units that are hard wired in to your home, there are battery back ups that need to be replaced.
Trim Trees/Shrubs Away From The House
Tree branches, shrubs, vines, and other greenery that touches your house can expose your house to mold and mildew. This is because they can carry pests and water. And that can seep in to your house through your siding, and your windows and doors. It is recommended to keep the greenery at least 6 inches away from your home. The Saaker Mini Chainsaw is my favorite to get this job done fast.
Aerate Your Lawn
Your lawn needs air, water, and nutrients to thrive, and throughout the year, your lawn can become compacted. This compaction blocks your soil from getting these vital components. Aeration helps to loosen up the soil to allow air, water and nutrients a better chance at reaching the roots. It’s best to aerate in early fall so that the nutrients can remain active in the soil throughout the dormant winter months.
Seed Your Lawn
Additionally, “over seeding” is also recommended in the fall to ensure the seeds absorb moisture throughout winter. This helps them get ready to sprout strong come spring. Keep in mind two things that are important when seeding. First, the seed needs to come in contact with the soil, so applying seed after aeration allows the seed to settle in to the holes that were just created from the aerator. Second, the seed needs a lot of water, so it’s best to apply it in early fall so you’ll have time to water it in good before it gets colder.
Shop For Grass Seed
Schedule HVAC Inspection
Preventing breakdowns and improving efficiency are two main reasons to have your HVAC inspected before winter. Nothing is worse than having the system stop working on the coldest night of the year.
A tune up done now may diagnose smaller issues so you can have them fixed before they become costlier problems. This regular maintenance has been shown to extend the life of your unit, as well as improve it’s energy efficiency.
Since it is recommended you have this done annually, it can be a part of your fall home maintenance checklist, or spring.
Flush AC Condensate Drain Hose
Over time, debris and algae can accumulate in the drain, obstructing proper drainage and potentially leading to leaks or even system malfunctions. By taking a few moments to flush the drain hose with a mixture of water and vinegar, you’ll ensure that your AC unit remains in optimal condition, ready to provide efficient cooling next summer.
Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist
Next let’s cover the 13 tasks you can do each month to keep your home maintained and running in peak condition.
Change Your HVAC Filter
This should be done every 1-3 months depending on which type of filter you have. A dirty or clogged filter makes your unit have to run harder than it needs, which not only decreases it’s lifespan, but increases your utility bills.
Check Water Softener
If you have a water softener system, perform a monthly check to ensure it’s working properly. Add salt if needed.
Test Smoke Alarms & CO Detectors
Perform a quick test once per month on all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace if needed.
Clean HVAC Registers
Perform a quick monthly cleaning of your HVAC vents, as well as the air return grills. Dust and debris can accumulate on these quickly. The dirt and debris can get sucked in to your air system and redistributed throughout your home.
Clean Garbage Disposal
This is a great place for bacteria to breed. Clean it out once per month with a solution of vinegar and water, then grind up a few ice cubes. Finally, pour warm water down the drain.
Related Post: 10 Things You Can Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Dust Ceiling Fans
Nothing spreads dust around a room faster than a dirty ceiling fan blade. Do a quick cleaning of them each month. Grab a netted fiber duster with telescopic pole to make this chore easy.
Vacuum Bath Fan
Your bath fan exhaust grill cover can get clogged up fast. Take your vacuum hose with a brush attachment to quickly clean off the dust and debris each month. This helps keep the fan from having to work harder to remove moisture from your bathroom.
Clean Dishwasher
Place a bowl or cup full of vinegar on the top rack and run a cleaning cycle each month. Or drop in a cleaning tablet. Don’t forget to clean out the filter and the spray arms as well.
Related Post: 10 Things You Can Clean With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Clean Washer
Drop a washing machine cleaning tablet into your washer, or a cup of baking soda, and run it on the tub clean cycle once per month. When that is finished, clean out the detergent tray, the washer filter (if there is one) and the door.
Related Post: How To Clean Front Load Washer Easy
Clean Dryer
It’s also a good idea to perform a deep clean of the dryer lint screen. They make special vacuum hose attachments to help you get deep down in to the lint collection area. Clean the inside of the drum and the door as well.
Inspect Your Sump Pump
Perform a monthly check to ensure your sump pump is working properly. First, dump a bucket of water in to the pit to make sure it activates the pump. Next, check the discharge line outside to make sure it is free from clogs.
Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers
This is probably the most often overlooked item in your home. But you don’t want to find out your fire extinguisher was expired or broken when you need it most. Check the pressure gauge to ensure it’s in the green zone, then inspect the body of the unit for any rust, corrosion or dents. Replace if needed.
Related Post: You Should Inspect Your Fire Extinguisher Now
Check Your Drains For Clogs
Do a quick check of all of your sink, tub and shower drains for any clogs. By catching them early, you most likely can clear them easily by using a drain hair cleaner tool.
Conclusion
As the leaves change color and the air becomes brisk, embarking on these home maintenance tasks for fall and beyond is a proactive way to ensure your dwelling remains a comfortable, secure haven throughout the changing seasons. By addressing the specific fall tasks, you’re taking essential steps to protect your home against the challenges of winter. Additionally, incorporating the monthly tasks into your routine establishes a year-round commitment to keeping your living spaces efficient, safe, and well-cared-for. Remember, a well-maintained home isn’t just a sanctuary for its occupants – it’s also an investment that pays dividends in both comfort and peace of mind.
To assist you in your journey, we’ve prepared a FREE Home Maintenance Checklist that outlines all these tasks and more. This downloadable guide serves as your companion, helping you stay on top of your home’s needs and ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.
