Cooler temperatures, the color-changing leaves, and the smell of pumpkin spice, reminds me that fall is knocking at the door. Which means, as the seasons change, so do our day-to-day activities and our home needs. It’s the right time to do seasonal maintenance so your home can keep up with you and run smoothly. Following these maintenance tips below, with a little attention now, can help save you costly repairs and aggravation later.
Exterior Home Maintenance Tips
Enjoy the remaining warm days and prepare your home’s exterior for the colder fall months ahead.
Inspect your roof. You should be able to do a visual inspection of the roof from the ground. Check to see any missing, damaged, or loose shingles.
Assess home exterior. Don’t let any critters seek shelter in your home. Check the siding and repair any cracks or holes.
Clean the gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves, nests, and debris from gutters and check for leaks.
Inspect your chimney and prepare your fireplace. If you use a wood fireplace often, have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional.
Turn off faucets and store hoses. Drain garden hoses and disconnect from the outside spigots. Shut off and winterize exterior faucets; if you have an older home, you may need to turn off the valve inside your home. Store hoses in a dry place so any residual water won’t freeze.
Inspect trees. Check for damaged limbs that may break or that are too close to power lines or the roof.
Remove leaves on your property. Rake up your leaves from the front and back yards, at least once a week.
Store seasonal furniture. Wash and dry furniture and store it in a dry place over winter. Find unused space to create new storage solutions.
Organize shed and garage. As you store summer items, it’s an excellent time to organize. Move summer items to the back and winter stuff up front for better access. Also, remove any liquids that will freeze.
Interior Home Maintenance Tips
Less daylight and colder outside temperatures mean more time spent indoors. Make sure your home is ready and safe for your increased indoor activities.
Inspect your home’s heating and cooling systems. Cooler temps mean it’s time to turn on the heat. Before you do, hire an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace, check heating efficiency, test for leaks, and change the filter. If your home has central air conditioning, cover your outdoor unit. Remove window air conditioning units and store them to prevent air leaks. 
Test home safety devices. Replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to ensure they’re working correctly.
Clean humidifiers. Replace old filters and clean the inside compartment.
Check attic and crawl spaces. Don’t invite unwanted home guests this fall; check your attic and crawl spaces and repair any cracks or holes.
Seal up air leaks. Feel for any drafts around the edges of windows and doors. Replace seals and repair caulking around window and door frames.
Bonus Prep!
Get winter equipment ready. Service snow blower and ensure it is ready to go, especially for the unpredictable weather.
Test the generator. If you have an emergency generator for power outages, call us at HomeSquare to have your generator tested and ensure it’s working correctly. Our expert team offers annual maintenance plans, generator installation, and backup power systems.
Buy extra gasoline. Purchase additional gasoline to have on hand for your snow blower or generator so you’re prepared for emergencies. Ensure you store gasoline in tanks away from fire sources and children’s reach.
Service summer power equipment. Empty fuel and clean lawnmower and trimmer. Have lawn mower blades sharpened and oil changed. Make any necessary repairs now so you’re prepared for next spring.
Following these tips will help you enjoy the remaining bits of summer stress-free, knowing that your home is prepared for the fall season. So when the chilly weather approaches, you and your home will be ready for it. Need a helping hand? Our professionals at HomeSquare have you covered with all of your seasonal needs! Preventative maintenance now can save you money on expensive emergency repairs and wasted energy costs.
Genesis Aquino
Genesis Aquino is a freelance home and lifestyle blogger and marketing specialist in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
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