Fall Maintenance Checklist: Your Pre-Winter To-Dos!
Even if your home is new, It’s time to take advantage of the mild weather to start all those must-do fall maintenance repairs to your house – inside and out. It’s hard to work up a lot of enthusiasm for must-dos, that’s why we’re giving you a little motivational nudge and a checklist so you’ll have no regrets when the snow starts to fall!
Check the Paint
Inspect the exterior walls for peeling paint. If paint is peeling or blistering, that means it’s not protecting the siding very well and could mean costly repairs down the road.
Caulk the Windows
To keep the heat inside from getting out, be sure to caulk around your windows and doorframes. Caulking is inexpensive and can keep water from seeping in and freezing, which can cause cracks and mold build-up.
Inspect the Roof
Your roof defends the rest of the house against harsh weather and rapidly changing temperatures, so make sure it’s in good shape. Ice, snow, rain and wind can destabilize a roof, so it’s better to tackle the repairs now, than to wait for a leak after a blizzard!
Check the Heat
Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating contractor. Heating systems will work more efficiently, last longer, and have fewer problems if they get a good tune-up. And don’t forget to make sure your wood stove and fireplace are in working order!
Reverse the Ceiling Fan
Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redirects warm air from the ceiling.
Clean Yard Equipment
In a few weeks, drain the fuel from all gas-operated machines like lawn mowers, weed cutters, leaf blowers and chain saws. And while you’re at it, check to see that all of your snow equipment is within reach and operative before those first flurries.
Clean the Gutters
Once the trees lose their leaves, clean out gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can cause ice dams that allow water to back up and leak into your house. Replace old or damaged gutters with new ones, and pick the ones with built-in leaf guards!
Fall Maintenance Inside Your Home
Check the Batteries
Test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and keep extra batteries on hand.
Clean the Humidifiers
Clean your humidifiers regularly during the winter. Bacteria and spores can develop in dirty water tanks and in the mist diffused into a room.
Vacuum the Dryer
Dryer lint builds up everywhere; in the filter, the drum and the vent. With more static electricity in the winter months, there’s also a fire danger from the build-up. Check out these how-to steps to clean and maintain a safe, efficient dryer!
DIY Draft Stoppers
This isn’t a must-do, but draft stoppers are a great DIY project for kids. Houzz has some simple-to-follow guidelines, with or without a sewing machine, using an old flannel shirt and some rice or beans.
Shorten Your To-Do List
Your fall maintenance checklist is much shorter when you’re in a brand new home! Make this the season of no regrets and visit one of the beautiful new home designs in Crystal Valley from Richmond American Homes!
