As the leaves fall and the temperatures begin to drop, now is the perfect time to start thinking about fall home maintenance. After a busy summer, your home may be in need of a little TLC. Luckily, there are a few easy home maintenance tasks that you can do yourself to get your house ready for the colder months ahead. Keep reading for a list of five fall home maintenance tasks that you can tackle over the next few weeks.
1. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
The first thing on your list should be to inspect your gutters and downspouts. Leaves and other debris can easily clog up your gutters, which can lead to water damage. To clean your gutters, remove any debris using a garden trowel or gloved hands. Then, rinse them out with a hose to remove any remaining dirt or grime. Once they are clean, check that all of the brackets are secure and that the gutters are properly draining. If you notice any issues, now is the time to call in a professional to make repairs.
2. Clean the Chimney and Fireplace
Now is also a good time to give your chimney and fireplace a good cleaning. Start by removing ashes from the fireplace using a shovel or vacuum cleaner designed for the job. Then, use a stiff-bristled brush to remove any soot from the sides of the fireplace. Once you have removed all of the ashes and soot, take a look at the damper—the metal door that covers the opening of the chimney—to make sure it is opening and closing properly. Hire a professional to clean the chimney.
3. Fall Home Maintenance for the HVAC System
Before winter arrives, it is important to have your HVAC system serviced by a professional. They will clean and inspect your furnace or boiler and make sure that it is running efficiently. They will also check your ductwork for any leaks or holes and seal them up if necessary. This simple task helps keep the system running efficiently and effectively.
4. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
An easy home maintenance task that you can do yourself is to check all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. To test a smoke or CO detector, simply press the test button on the unit. Test each detector according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replace any batteries as needed.
5. Winterize Your Outdoor Space as Fall Home Maintenance
Finally, don’t forget about your outdoor space when doing fall home maintenance! Start by removing leaves, sticks, and pine cones from the yard. Then, drain all of your outdoor faucets and sprinklers so that they don’t freeze during the winter months (turn off any shut-off valves first). If you have an irrigation system, now is also a good time to have it professionally winterized so that it doesn’t sustain any damage over the winter months.
By taking care of these five easy home maintenance tasks this fall, you can avoid costly repairs down the road and rest assured knowing that your home is ready for whatever winter brings.
Boise Valley Home Inspection provides inspection to homebuyers and sellers in the Treasure Valley and surrounding areas in Idaho. Contact us to schedule an inspection.