As a homeowner, you’re accustomed to cleaning, maintaining, and making improvements around the house. Each season brings new tasks for you to complete to keep your home in great condition. Here are a few important fall home maintenance tasks for you to tackle before the weather gets cold.
1. Clean the Gutters
Gutter cleaning is often a homeowner’s least favorite chore. However, it’s important to keep the channels of the guttering free from obstructions. Rain and snowmelt will accumulate in clogged gutters, causing roof damage, landscaping issues, and possibly water intrusion. Clean the gutters yourself with the help of a friend or hire a professional service to handle the job for you.
2. Tidy the Garden
Spend some time cleaning the garden in fall so it will be ready for spring. Remove dying garden plants and pull any weeds. Turn the soil with a tiller or by hand and mix in any needed soil amendments.
3. Fall Home Maintenance Includes HVAC Service
Fall is the perfect time to have your HVAC unit serviced before cold weather arrives. Hire a professional to inspect your system and make sure everything is in good working order.
4. Seal Doors and Windows
Check windows and doors for drafts. Airflow in and out of the home will make your living spaces more difficult to heat in the winter. Boost energy efficiency by sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors. Replace any cracked or deteriorating weather-stripping.
5. Have the Chimney Cleaned
A wood-burning fireplace accumulates creosote on the chimney walls. This substance is flammable and may ignite and cause a chimney fire. Hire a professional to clean the chimney. You’ll be able to enjoy the fireplace safely when colder weather arrives.
6. Trim Trees as Part of Your Fall Home Maintenance
Trees provide shade and beauty to your landscaping. In harsh weather, weak branches or damaged limbs pose a threat to your property. Trim away tree branches that overhang the house or driveway. You’ll reduce the risk of damage to your home and property in bad weather.
360 Home Inspections offers home inspections to customers in Northern New Jersey. Contact us to request our services.