Homeowners Fall To Do List

It is more cost effective to proactively fix small problems as opposed to fixing them once they are  past the point of no return.

Regular seasonal maintenance should be part of your routine and helps protect your most valuable investment. Here is  a fall home maintenance checklist to help keep you organized:

Lawn Love - Rake up leaves and aerate/fertilize your lawn. Make sure you continue to cut the grass until the end of the season — but keep the grass clippings on the grass and don’t cut too short.

Check for draughts - Heat loss through windows is responsible for 25-30 percent of heating energy use. But it doesn't have to be that way, because weatherstripping is simple and probably the most cost-effective way to keep heating costs down.

Drain your outdoor faucets. Drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots to prevent any water freezing.

Bring all your outdoor furniture inside or in a shed if possible. If not, cover it up with a waterproof furniture cover. They are not expensive and will save you in the long run.

Safety First - Test and clean your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Once a year you should be checking to make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices are working

Furnace Fix - Inspect your furnace filter and schedule a furnace tune-up.

Propane Fireplace - Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected. Don’t forget to  check the tank and lines.

Clean your air exchanger. You can vacuum out the inside and wash the filters.

Roofing Repair - Check your roof for leaks and damaged shingles.

Clearing a Clog - Clean leaves from gutters and test downspouts with a hose.

Chimney Sweep - Inspect your chimney for obstructions such as bird's nest.

Pest Proofing - Check your home's exterior for any holes that rodents could use to gain entry. 

Foundation Fix - Ensure water doesn't pool around your home as it can cause flooding and damage your foundation.

The time to text all your winter equipment is now! Don’t wait to find out the snowblower needs to be serviced during the first storm of the season!

Preventative maintenance will help ensure small problems don't turn into big headaches that need professional attention on short notice. Just a little time and planning will help you maintain your home's value and you'll also save money each month as your home will be much more efficient.