Fall Home Checklist: Tackle These Tasks Now

Fall is Here!

As the leaves begin to turn and a crisp chill fills the air, your home is silently preparing for its toughest battle of the year. But are you ready to be its champion?

Neglecting fall maintenance could leave you facing costly repairs and chilly drafts when winter strikes.

In this edition of the Handy Homeowner, we'll reveal the often-overlooked tasks that separate the amateurs from the pros.

Plus, don't miss our exclusive Fall Maintenance Checklist – your secret weapon against winter's wrath.

Ready to dive in? Let’s tackle it together! 👇️ 

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Your Fall Home Maintenance Game Plan: Prepping Your Home for Winter

With fall in full swing, it’s time to trade in those summer DIY projects for a round of essential home maintenance tasks. As the days get shorter and cooler, the focus shifts to prepping your home for the chilly months ahead. Tackling these tasks now can help avoid bigger (and more expensive) problems once winter hits. Let’s dive into what you should be doing around the house this season.

First up, the gutters. Fall leaves are beautiful, but they’re also notorious for clogging up your gutter system. When water can’t flow freely through the gutters, it overflows, leading to potential roof and foundation damage. Spend some time clearing out leaves and debris, and consider installing gutter guards to make life easier next year. While you’re up there, take a moment to check the downspouts to ensure water is draining away from your foundation. A little preventative work here can save a heap of trouble down the road.

While you’re taking care of things out doors, don’t forget about the roof. Before snow starts piling up, give it a good inspection for any loose or damaged shingles that might lead to leaks. Also, if you have a fireplace, now’s the time to have your chimney inspected and cleaned. Built-up creosote is a fire hazard that you definitely want to take care of before lighting that first cozy fire.

As the temperatures drop, your home’s doors and windows may start letting cold air creep in. Even the smallest drafts can lead to a spike in heating bills, so it’s worth checking for leaks and sealing them up. Applying weather stripping or caulking to problem areas is an easy, affordable fix. A quick test you can try: hold a lit candle near window seams on a windy day. If the flame flickers, you’ve got yourself a draft that needs attention.

Speaking of heating, your furnace is about to go into full-time mode, so now’s the perfect time to give it some TLC. It’s always a smart move to call a professional for an inspection before the cold really sets in. They’ll check for any issues like cracked heat exchangers, which can cause dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. Also, remember to change your furnace filter. A clean filter helps your system run efficiently, saving you money in the long run. If you’re looking to boost energy savings even more, installing a programmable or smart thermostat can make a big difference.

Another area that often gets overlooked is the outdoor faucets and hoses. Any water left in hoses or pipes outside can freeze, expand, and cause them to burst. To avoid this, disconnect and drain your hoses, and if you have an interior shut-off valve for outdoor faucets, go ahead and close it. Open the outside tap to let any remaining water drain out. In colder climates, adding insulated faucet covers offers extra protection against freezing.

Insulation is another key to keeping your home warm and energy-efficient this winter. Now’s the perfect time to check your attic insulation. If you spot any thin areas, top it off to help keep heat inside where it belongs. Good insulation can make a noticeable difference in comfort and energy costs during the coldest months.

Safety should never take a backseat during fall maintenance. With your heating system and fireplace about to get a workout, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace old batteries, and if your detectors are more than 10 years old, it’s time for an upgrade. These simple steps could save lives, so don’t overlook them.

Getting these fall maintenance tasks done now will make for a smoother, safer winter, while protecting your home from avoidable damage. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re enjoying a warm, cozy home without worrying about leaky roofs or sky-high energy bills.

Need a quick guide to help you stay on track? Download our free Fall Home Maintenance Checklist below to keep everything organized and make sure nothing gets forgotten.

Now grab that cup of coffee, knock out these tasks, and enjoy a worry-free fall season!

Q&A: How often should I Change my Furnace Humidifier Filter?

Furnace humidifier filters typically need to be changed once per year, usually at the beginning of the heating season (so right about now would be good).

I researched several YouTube Videos and this was the best one I found on how to change the filter ⬇️