As fall moves in, do you know what home maintenance you should have completed by now? Are you simply raking leaves and checking gutters, and calling it good?
If you're like the rest of us, you may already feel behind when it comes to getting ready for the next season. Instead of wondering what's being left out, let's take a look at the top things you can do this season to stay ahead of the game when it comes to taking care of your home.
Home Maintenance Checklist
Here's a simple "top to bottom" checklist to keep your home in shape this fall.
- Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Keeping your family safe through the winter starts with an inspection in autumn. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year. - Check water softener and add salt if needed.
If you have a water softener, you know that when the salt runs out you're in for a real chore. Keep up on this task by checking salt periodically. Get into the habit of adding it when needed, rather than all at once. - Rake leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
The changing color of the leaves can be beautiful. It also creates extra work for us. Each fall, check your gutters and downspouts to ensure your draining can happen and water won't get backed up into your roof. - Change filters.
Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean the dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood, and room fans. Keep the air moving throughout your home efficiently and cleanly by keeping your furnace filters fresh each month. Your lungs and your budget will thank you. - Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets.
Before the snow falls or the freezing temperatures settle in, make sure any pipes that exit your home are empty of water. Water expands when it turns to ice, and can split pipes, causing serious problems after a thaw. - Cover or store outdoor furniture.
We all wish we could sit on a patio throughout the year, enjoying the grill and a relaxing evening, but we're not all in temperate areas. If you're in a part of the country that gets too cold to enjoy the patio year-round, it's likely time to put away the outside furniture. Protect your furniture from the elements like snow & ice and either cover it or put it in a shed. Don't forget about your window air conditioners too! - Inspect your roof, windows, and doors.
Check your roof around vents, skylights, and chimneys for leaks. Make sure to seal drafty doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. This will also help you save on your heating bill. - Clean and inspect chimney.
It's a great time of year for an evening fire. Before you start enjoying the crackle of the fireplace, make sure it's clean and safe. Call a chimney cleaning service to take a look. This is something you don't want to skip as a safety measure!
Take good care of your home each month, and your home will take care of you. Stay ahead of the curve with our Yearly Home Maintenance Checklist!
