Fall Maintenance Checklist
Fall is in the air! The days are getting shorter and the temperature is feeling a little cooler. While you may be ready to enjoy some golden aspen leaf peeping and all things pumpkin, it's also time to prepare your home for cold weather. Below are some fall home maintenance steps that every homeowner should follow to make sure your fall and winter are cozy and headache-free.
The most important task in the fall for Colorado homeowners is to disconnect their hoses and blow out the sprinklers before the first frost. This will prevent the hose bibs and sprinklers lines from freezing and bursting.
Roof, Gutters and Downspouts, Foundation
Inspect your roof or hire a professional to uncover any potential problems, such as damage or missing shingles, loose seams or shingle pieces that are accumulating in downspouts. This will give you a chance to have any issues repaired before winter and hopefully prevent leaking or any further damage.
Clean gutters and downspouts frequently throughout the fall to prevent a buildup of leaves and other debris. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot, foundation problems, pest infestations, and ruined gutters.
Be sure water is not coming down behind gutters and that all support brackets are securely in place.
Ensure that water drains properly and doesn’t pool. Pooling can cause damage to foundations, driveways, and walkways.
Check the foundation for cracks and caulk around the areas where masonry meets siding, where pipes or wires enter the house, and around the windows and door frames to prevent heat from escaping and water intrusion
Windows & Doors
Change summer screens to cool weather storm windows and doors.
Inspect and repair any loose or damaged window or door frames.
Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to prevent drafts and to lower heating bills, and to keep out any pests. You may also want to install a door sweep to help prevent drafts coming in between the bottom of the door and the threshold.
Heating Systems
Replace the filter in your furnace.
Consider having a heating professional service your heating system to ensure optimal performance and discover minor problems before they turn into costly major repairs.
Have your ducts cleaned to improve your heating system’s efficiency as well as to reduce household dust.
Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors once a month, and replace the batteries at least once a year. You should also replace all detectors that are more than 10 years old.
Plumbing
Ensure that all pipes are well-insulated to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Make sure that you how to locate and turn off the water shut-off valve in case pipes do freeze.
It's a good idea to drain your water heater once a year to remove sediment that can cause clogs and prevent the water heater from running efficiently. Check your manufacturer's directions on how to drain your water heater or contact a professional for help.
Chimney & Fireplace
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have a professional inspect and clean your chimney. Fireplaces that are regularly used during the season should have an annual cleaning to prevent dangerous chimney fires.
Test your fireplace flue for a tight seal when closed.
Keep your firewood dry. Start fires with clean newspaper or dry kindling, and add only seasoned wood (meaning that it has been dried properly) to the fire. Firewood should be stacked under a cover until you are ready to use it. Also, insects and rodents like to make themselves at home in woodpiles, so it's a good idea to store your firewood at least 30 feet from your home.
If you have a gas fireplace, the chimney and flue should be inspected regularly for any blockages that could cause a chimney fire. Also, have a professional check the gas lines and vents for leaks and repair if necessary.
Attic Ventilation
Be sure attic insulation doesn’t cover vents in the eaves to prevent winter ice dams on the roof.
Be sure ridge vents and vents at eaves are free of plants and debris.
Check bird and rodent screens for attic vents to prevent any unwanted guests.
Landscape and Yardwork
Although grass appears to stop growing in the fall, the roots are actually growing deeper to prepare for winter. Now is the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn.
Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth next spring.
Consider mulching leaves with your lawn mower to provide your lawn with nutrients that will help keep it healthy. If you don't have a mower with a mulch setting, be sure to rake the leaves so they don't smother the grass.
Trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or the roof of your house, as heavy snow and ice can cause tree damage.
Trees and shrubs sometimes need extra love to get through the winter, especially deciduous ones. Start by watering the trees thoroughly from the trunk to the length of the longest branch. For trees with thin bark, such as maple and linden trees, use tree wrap to help protect them against the harsh winter temperatures. You should also put 2-4 inches of mulch around the base of the tree. You can use any organic mulch that is appropriate for the area where you live, such as wood chips, bark or even fallen leaves.
Before storing lawn equipment for the winter, rinse shovels, rakes and other hand tools, and brush off any dirt with a brush. Remove any remaining fuel from your lawn mower, as well as the spark plugs.
Turn off exterior faucets. Drain and disconnect garden hoses. If your faucet has a shutoff valve, you should turn it off (these valves are usually inside the house). Next, open and close the outside tap to release any water that is still inside the pipe. Cover exterior faucets with an insulated cover to help prevent freezing during the winter.
Cover and store outdoor furniture in a protected area.
Make sure all soil is emptied from pots and planters. Dirt left in clay pots will freeze and cause the pots to crack if left outside.
Give your snow blower a thorough pre-season checkup as recommended in the owner’s manual.
Miscellaneous:
Reverse your ceiling fans. Switch the direction of the ceiling fan blades to spin clockwise and run on a low speed to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling.
Clean your carpets. Fall is the best time to open windows for ventilation to speed the drying process.
With these winterizing tips, your home may be a little cozier and safer, all while you save some money, too. Be prepared for the chilliest time of year, so you can sit back and watch the snow fall from your warm, winter-ready home.