End of summer and early fall is the perfect time to start planning fall home maintenance. Get your home winter-ready with this checklist to keep you on track.
Why is fall home maintenance important?
Winter is coming! Just like in Game of Thrones, it's important to get ready for the cold season — before it arrives.
Fall home maintenance prepares your home for the harsh winter months ahead. This is super important, especially here in Alberta! Keep your home in great shape by taking care of tasks like cleaning gutters, inspecting the roof, and servicing the furnace.
Staying on top of maintenance is the first line of defence against sudden breakdowns and urgent repair bills. With a little extra fall prep, you and yours can stay warm and safe.
Fall home maintenance tips to get your home ready for winter
To-do lists make tasks more manageable. Get organized to boost your seasonal home maintenance this fall and beyond! Now that sweater weather has arrived, here’s a checklist to cover the essentials of fall home maintenance. Now is the best time to prepare your home and yard for the coming cold.
1. Clean out gutters & clear downspouts
Break out your ladder and garden gloves and dig into any debris that’s built up in your gutters and downspouts. Doing so will help the gutters drain properly and prevent overflow, which can cause damage to your home and wallet.
A saggy gutter just looks sad, so take the time to look them over and check for missing brackets.
Ladder safety tips:
- Set up the ladder correctly, on even ground.
- Climb up and down with caution.
- Face the ladder when climbing.
- Don't lean too far, use the ladder rails as your guide.
- Always maintain a 3-point contact on the ladder: Two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand.
- Don't lean far away from the ladder.
- Face the ladder when climbing.
2. Check the roof
- Take a peek at your roof to see if you can spot any damage like dings, missing shingles or buckled roofing.
- If you find any loose or missing shingles, make sure you replace and repair them sooner rather than later. Serious problems, like leaks, can develop when the snow builds up and then begins to freeze and thaw.
- If you’re not up for the job of checking things out, we can help.
3. Get your furnace ready
- Temperatures are going to start dropping soon, and you don’t want to be caught without a working furnace. One of the easiest things you can do to prevent furnace malfunction is to replace the furnace filter before the cold months arrive.
- Clean your ducts to increase the heating system’s efficiency and reduce the amount of household dust in the air. Rümi’s pros can help you do it.
- Your furnace needs to be serviced every year. Hire a professional to perform a comprehensive furnace tune-up.
4. Attic insulation
- Check attic insulation. Make sure every part of your attic is well-insulated, and you’ll save money on by reducing energy leakage.
- Check the attic’s door for any gaps—inconsistent air circulation is one of the culprits of ice damming.
- One last thing while we’re in the attic: check the vents and make sure there isn’t any debris clogging them. Again, proper ventilation prevents ice damming and improves overall household heating efficiency.
5. Prepare your air conditioner
- Disconnect your A/C unit during the winter. Prevent accidental switch-on and potential damage to your system.
- Clear your A/C of debris now to save on clean-up time in the spring.
- Install an A/C cover to protect from snow and ice.
- If you have a window A/C unit, remove it for the winter.
6. Weather-proof windows & doors
- Lower your energy usage by up to 30% by taking care of drafty windows and doors. Replace that worn weather stripping and use caulk to fill any gaps near windows, doors, pipes and faucets.
- Outdoor critters are cutest when they stay where they belong—outdoors, so make sure you seal up any exterior gaps they could climb through. Larger gaps need spray foam to get the job done.
7. Chimney & fireplace safety
- For some, winter just isn’t the same without a working fireplace to cozy up to. Before you start splitting the firewood and dreaming of roasted marshmallows, make sure every smoke and fire detector in the house is in working order and has fresh batteries.
- Hire a professional to inspect and service your chimney. This helps prevent chimney fires and the buildup of dangerous gases. A pro knows how to properly clear out soot, leaves and even the occasional bird nest.
- For wood burners, stock up on firewood. Make sure you store it somewhere safe and dry.
8. Lawn & yard care
- Fertilize your lawn one-to-two times in the fall and you’ll see things come back to life much quicker come spring.
- Rake up all the fall leaves to prevent the spread of diseases that can kill your lawn.
- Aerate, seed and mow your lawn one last time before the snow arrives.
- Trim any overhanging branches or overgrown bushes that could cause damage to your home during winter storms.
9. Inspect your deck
- Your deck is going to be snowbound and icy for a few months. Fall is an ideal time to give it a good cleaning and a little repair.
- Fix up the rotted boards and re-stain and seal your deck to make sure it’s primed for when warm weather returns.
10. Check smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
- Test all detectors to ensure they are working correctly and replace batteries if needed. This is crucial for safety during the winter months when heating systems are in use.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your detector.
- Take your home smoke and carbon monoxide detection to the next level with a hard-wired safety detection system.
11. Service the water heater
- Flush the water heater to remove sediment buildup, which can improve efficiency and extend its lifespan.
- Consider insulating the water heater to save energy.
12. Drain outdoor faucets & sprinkler systems
- To prevent freezing and potential damage, drain and disconnect garden hoses.
- Blow out any remaining water in sprinkler systems.
13. Seal cracks in driveways & walkways
- Repair any cracks in driveways and walkways to prevent them from expanding due to freezing and thawing cycles.
14. Check home exterior
- Check your home's exterior for any peeling paint. Repaint this fall or make a plan to repaint in the spring.
- Check your siding for damage, cracks or peeling. Repair siding before winter to keep the heat locked in and prevent damage.
15. Store outdoor furniture & equipment
- Clean and store outdoor furniture, grills, and other equipment to protect them from the winter weather.
- Use covers for outdoor furniture that can't be moved or stored elsewhere.
16. Inspect & clean dryer vents
- Lint buildup in dryer vents can be a fire hazard, so make sure to clean them out before winter.
17. Prepare emergency kits
- Wintertime can bring power outages, storms and snow-ins. Always be prepared.
- Stock up on essentials like batteries, flashlights, bottled water, and non-perishable food items in case of winter storms or power outages.
Call in the home pros
Fall home maintenance is easier with seasoned pros. Call us for seasonal home maintenance this fall and throughout the year!
If you’ve got more questions or want to learn more about Rümi’s home services, give us a shout today!
