Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

As the fall season nears, protecting our homes from the cooler weather is an important step in home ownership. With the fall and winter comes more rain and cooler temperatures. Here are 8 maintenance tips that can be completed over the weekend. These tasks will prepare your home for the change of season as well as reduce the chance of needing a major repair.

1. Heating System Tune up. For a minimal charge of $80-$100 an HVAC contractor can  check your heating system to ensure optimal performance and discover minor problems before they turn into costly major repairs. It is also a great time to change your furnace filter. You may want to consider getting your ducts cleaned as well.
2. Roof and Gutters. Gutters clogged with leaves can quickly damage a homes foundation.  Clean gutters and make sure they drain completely.  Also consider walking the roof to look for leaks or damaged shingles. Only do these tasks if you are comfortable on ladders and working on the roof, otherwise hire a professional.
3. Caulking and Paint.  Fall is a great time to check for cracked or damaged caulk around your windows and doors. Moisture can quickly leak into these cracks and reek havoc. Any chipped or damaged paint should be scraped, primed, and repainted.
4. Downspout Extensions. Make sure your downspouts are extended to move water 4-5 Feet away from the foundation.  This is an important step any time but especially the fall and spring as this tends to be the wettest part of the year.
5. Trim Landscaping.  Trim your bushes and shrubs so they are 1 foot away from the surface of the home. This allows for proper air flow and lets the area dry out. Also clean any leaves and debris from around the foundation.
6. Disconnect Water Hose.  This will help prevent your water line to the hose from freezing.
7. Chimney.  Great time of year to call a qualified chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney. This could prevent a dangerous and costly repair.  Do not light your fireplace without an annual inspection to ensure your safety.
8. Crawl Space.   We tend to forget about the crawlspace because we hate getting in there. This time of year is a great time to get in the crawl space to make sure there is no trouble. Check your vapor barrier, sump pumps, look for water or insect damage. Also check to make sure things are sealed up tight to keep out rodents. 
9. CO Detectors. Be sure to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for good batteries and proper function.

Fall is a great time for an annual home inspection. Look to New Start Inspections to inspect your home this fall. We want to help you protect your home as it is your greatest investment.