9 Fall Maintenance Homeowner's Checklist
Sweater weather is upon us (depending on if you like the cold, crisp air), and you need more than a “PSL” (Pumpkin Spice Latte) from your local coffee shop to get ready for it! Wouldn’t it be amazing if all you needed to prep your home for fall was hang a wreath and light a bunch of pumpkin spice candles? While those are decorative things to do to get ready for the change of seasons, there are more important (and maybe not exactly fun) preparations that come with being a homeowner. To help you out, here’s our 9 Fall Maintenance Homeowner’s Checklist to assist the transition from those warmer summer days to the cool, fall nights...and eventually…the freezing temperatures that many of us enjoy!
1. Clean, or possibly replace, your gutters.
Let’s face it, you're so used to your gutters working properly and draining thousands of gallons of water from your roof every year, that you forget they could use a little TLC. If they're clogged, you can end up with a flooded interior and/or damaged exterior. So clean them, and if necessary, replace them (Amazon Home Services will do it for $116 if there’s any in your area, or you can contact me for more referrals).
2. Check for drafts.
Did you know that heat loss through windows and doors is responsible for 25-30% of heating energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. However, it doesn't have to be that way because weatherstripping is simple and probably the most cost-effective way to keep heating costs down. You can find this material at your local hardware store usually for pretty affordable compared to the energy loss cost.
Pro Tip: To check if you have a draft issue, close a door or window on a strip of paper. If the paper easily slides, then it’s time to update your weatherstripping for that door/window.
3. Drain your outdoor faucets and cover crawl space vents.
Say it with me now: "I will turn off all outdoor faucets before winter!" Drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots to prevent any water freezing. Not doing this can result to pipes bursting, which can also lead to damage in your home. To be even safer for those who live in areas that drop below 32 degrees, add what’s called faucet covers over your hose bibs, which you can get foam or plastic versions. One we personally use is the Frost King brand here in Oregon. Lastly, don’t forget to cover those crawl space vents to keep the cold air out from beneath your home, this goes a long way in the colder regions.
4. Bring your outdoor furniture in.
Yes, your furniture is outdoor furniture. No, that does not mean you should test the label by leaving it outside through hurricane-like weather and snowstorms. We’re tempted every year to do this, but at what cost? Well, it costs money and time to set that outdoor space up, so if you want to get another summer season out of it, you should store it in a garage, shed or under the cover of a roof or deck. If you don't have anywhere to store the items, you should cover it in a waterproof furniture cover, which you can snag on Amazon for $36, or at the very least, a waterproof tarp that you can pick up at your local Harbor Freight for a good price!
5. Fix any cracks in your driveway.
We know…this seems tedious and is one of those things where you're like, "eh, it'll be fine!" But, it could very easily not be fine. When water gets into cracks it expands when it freezes, and can (and usually does) make the cracks even larger and possibly create additional cracks! Enough small cracks can turn into big cracks, and eventually the concrete will crumble and break off. In addition, you'd probably prefer a driveway without giant potholes…right? So get some concrete crack sealer, fill it in and be done with it. In fact, we just saw some at our local Ace Hardware store.
6. Change your filters.
Something else in your house that might be costing you more money than you realize is if your HVAC filters are clogged. It's harder to keep your home at the temperature you want it to be if they’re dirty, which also increases your heating bill. Rather than clean your filter with a vacuum and have dust and dust mites go everywhere, you can also simply replace it. In fact, it’s always a good idea to replace these every 6 months (unless you have a non-replaceable filter that should be cleaned instead of course).
7. Fertilize your lawn.
You know what they say: The best offense is a good defense. (Chuck Norris or GI Joe?) If you want to keep your lawn looking great in the spring and summer, you need to prep it for fall and winter. Roots are still active when the grass isn't growing and goes dormant, and applying organic fertilizer (to be safe in case you have animals that eat the grass) will prevent winter damage. Doing this will also help your lawn turn green faster in the spring, which is crucial, because who wants to look at a sad lawn once it gets nice out again?
8. Test winter equipment.
Hi, I'm here from the future, where your snow blower isn't working and you're stuck inside and can't get your car out to buy a new one…yes, we’ve been there and done that! Seriously, just check it all now and make your life easier later.
Pro Tip: Use non-ethanol gasoline (you won’t have to run your outdoor snowblower and other gas equipment dry at the end of the winter season with this type of gas, or even need to use additive). Mine start every year now that we’ve made that switch! It’s a little more expensive, but you’ll thank us when it’s cold out and you’re not freezing your butt off trying to fix a fuel filter or something else because the gas went bad from sitting and the cold weather.
9. Change your batteries.
Once a year you should be checking to make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices are working. Since you're already testing everything else out, you might as well add this on. You can never be too safe when it comes to this, so put it on the list and get’er done!
As always, if you’re thinking of listing your home, or if you don’t own a home, condo or similar, and are interested in buying, let me know so I can help walk you through the current market conditions, as well as all the resources and referrals I have from my many years of success in the industry for any repairs you might want help with. As a 10 year, Five Star Real Estate Agent, knowing that no matter what is happening in the economy, and especially now, you need a professional real estate broker as your ally…and you’ll be in great hands with my team!
Please reach out, I’m here to assist and help you #moveforward,
Teresa Catania, Broker
West + Main Homes
West + Main Homes Oregon
Bend Oregon | Central Oregon | Portland Oregon
503-740-3293
teresa@teresacatania.com