Falling leaves, blazing fires and warm blankets. Fall is the time to button up your home and get ready for the cold weather before shorter days are upon us. Our team put together a list of some of our favorite fall home maintenance tips to get your home ready for winter weather. Last tip? Snuggle up to a warm cuppa and a good movie. You’re ready for winter!
1. Take Care of Trees, Shrubs & Gardens
Look for plants in poor health. Remove or prune properly to avoid falling limbs in winter storms. Clean up your gardens, remove dead plants, and winterize soil. Outdoor furniture should be repaired before covering or storing. “We make this a family project. Everyone gets out there with garden gloves and gets the house ready for fall,” says Kellie Hodges.
2. Time to Rake the Leaves
I know they’re beautiful to look at, but leaving leaves on your grass over winter can damage your spring lawn. Choose a lightweight rake, wear gloves to protect your hands and rake the leaves into lawn bags. “A snow shovel or big leaf scoops can help speed you along,” recommends Paul Defngin.
3. Gutters and Downspouts
This might be the right time to hire a pro if you don’t have the right ladder. Once the leaves have fallen, clean out the gutters and downspouts. Winter rainstorms can cause water damage your roof and siding. John Walowac reminds you to “Try a leaf blower to blow the leaves out.”
4. Get To Those Outside Repairs
Take a stroll around your yard. How does the roof, siding and foundation look? Schedule those repairs before winter weather hits. Ice and snow are not the time to start an outdoor project.
5. Seal Out The Critters
Mice only need a tiny gap to sneak into your house and raid the pantry. Now that the wind is blowing and nights are getting cold, all the little critters will be looking for a warm place to make their home. “Mice don’t like chewing through steel wool so whenever we find a gap, we fill it with the stuff!” says Jennifer Hansel. Fill larger holes with steel wool and close them off. Does your chimney need a chimney cap? Find out before a critter makes it a cozy nest.
6. Plan for Winter Safety
Check stairs and sidewalks, railings and driveway for any damage. Fall home maintenance means now is the time to make those repairs before ice and water hit. Are the railings sturdy? Is the driveway in good repair for easier shoveling? “Get rid of loose asphalt, fill the cracks to make sure you don’t damage your driveway when you shovel,” Jon Ingram suggests.
7. Check Your Tools & Supplies
Pull the snow shovel and ice scrapers out from the back of the shed. Clean them up or replace if necessary. Derek Harman recommends “Buy your ice pellets now for your sidewalk and driveway, because when you need it, they will be sold out!! Happens every time!” Restock emergency kits for the car and home. Check your snowblower or re-establish contact with the local kid or professional snow plow service to make sure your house is on their list.
8. Winterize Exterior Faucets
Chong Yi says “Make sure to turn off outside water as to prevent from broken pipes.” Now that the temperatures are dropping, think about protecting your hose bibs and pipes to keep them from freezing. Drain the hose completely, roll them up and store in the shed. Turn off the valve inside your house. Install insulating covers over exterior faucets and hose bibs.
9. Cut Energy Costs With Weatherstripping
Apply around windows and doors to keep out drafts and cut energy costs. Avoid drafty doors with a door sweep. While you’re at it, now is a good time to lubricate squeaky door hinges and locks. Ready for a fresh interior design? Alicia Newberry says “this is the time to put up those heavier curtains for a cozy look that helps save on energy costs.”
10. Check Batteries in Smoke & Monoxide Detectors
Replace batteries as needed. In some areas, smoke detectors and monoxide detectors need to be replaced every 10 years. Check for the expiration date on your device. That goes for your fire extinguishers too. “Be sure to check for fire extinguishers on every floor. And check those expiration dates!” says Erin Finke.
11. Don’t Forget Your Ceiling Fans
Erin Slagle likes to change her ceiling fan to winter setting. “We have a ceiling fan in our bedrooms. There’s a switch on the side to change the fan direction from summer (counter clockwise) to winter setting (clockwise). It forces warm air downwards.”
12. Protect Your AC Window Unit
If your house uses window air conditioning in the summer, remove them now before the temperature gets cold. Store them over the winter. If removing them isn’t an option, an insulating wrap can be purchased online or at the hardware store. There are inside and outside wraps to help keep the warm air inside.
13. Did You Check the Dryer Vents
while you were doing your exterior check? Do it now before the critters try to enter the house that way. “Check for lint which can build up in dryer vents. They work less efficiently as well as being a fire hazard” recommends Christa Fitch. Hire a duct cleaning professional to clean the vents for you.
14. Conduct an Energy Audit
Find a do-it-yourself energy audit at energy.gov as part of your fall home maintenance.
15. Clean Chimney & Heating System
Annual care of your heating system will make it last much longer and work more efficiently. Making sure it and your chimney are clean and working order before you need them are a smart way to avoid a cold night.
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