11 Fall home maintenance tips
Autumn is the time to take care of home repairs before the days get shorter and the snow flies.
It’s also when efforts should be made to boost energy efficiency and be proactive about trees on your property to prevent winter storm damage. Follow this fall maintenance checklist to prepare your home and yard for the cooler temperatures ahead.
1. Seal windows and doors
When your windows and patio doors frost up, that’s a sure sign warm air is escaping. Before that happens, seal up windows with removeable silicone caulk where the old caulk has gone. Wait for a windy day and run your hand around the window frames to feel where it’s coming in to know which windows need to be done. (It can be removed in the spring when you want to open them.) Window film kits from a hardware store are another option. And if the door sweeps on your exterior doors are old, install new ones so you can block out the wintery air. You can also keep it from coming inside at the bottom of door with a draft stopper.
2. Clean up driveway and sidewalks
Snow, ice and salt can take a toll on concrete and asphalt surfaces. Start by pulling the weeds that may have grown in the cracks. Use concrete caulk to patch up hairline cracks and concrete sealer to fix larger gaps. Seal expansion joints with polyurethane caulk to prevent water from seeping in and freezing during the colder months. Before the temperatures drop below 4 C, pressure wash your driveway and seal it with a concrete or asphalt sealer.
3. Inspect and seal your deck
Start by hosing it off. If water is soaking into the boards, it’s time to reseal the deck. If water forms a puddle or beads, the deck is repelling water and is OK for winter. Check for loose nails and screws. Tighten or replace fasteners as needed. Power wash the deck on a day no colder than 4 C. Inspect for cracks or areas that are splintering. Fill cracks with an epoxy wood filler. If needed, add the water-repelling stain to protect it from melting ice and snow.
4. Clean your patio furniture. Before storing or covering your furniture, hose it off and spot clean any cushions, pillows, rugs or umbrellas. You’ll thank yourself in the spring!
5. Inspect your fireplace
The best time to inspect your fireplace is before the heating season. Fireplaces produce deposits which are combustible. This can destroy the chimney liner and even set your home on fire. Generally speaking, most experts recommend cleaning it annually. Consult a professional in your area to ensure it’s safe and ready to use.
6. Schedule a furnace tune up
Arrange for a tune-up with a licensed heating and cooling company. They will inspect, clean and test all safety controls so you know it’s working properly. Replace the air conditioning filter before shutting it down. Remove all debris around outdoor units and cover. Stay on top of furnace filter changes during the heating months to keep the system working properly.
7. Prepare your lawn
Cleaning up the yard now makes it easier in the spring. Give the grass a final mow, bringing it down to about two inches. Apply a fall fertilizer two to three weeks prior to the first frost. While tidying up the yard, keep an eye out for slopes, impacted soil and runoff erosion to prevent yard drainage issues in colder months.
8. Tackle general garden maintenance
The best time for a final watering of your trees and shrubs is after the leaves have fallen and before the ground has frozen. Don’t water when it’s colder than 4 C. Add a layer of mulch to the base of trees, shrubs and bushes to keep their roots warm. Dense shrubs and trees can be damaged by high winds and heavy snowfall. Protect them with shrub covers or chicken wire. Clean up yard debris such as dead branches, weeds, leaves and invasive plants. This will help prevent pests from building winter nests.
9. Check gutters and downspouts
Gutters play an important role in protecting a home’s foundation and preventing floods. Clean out the gutters to prevent ice dams during the winter. Remove leaves, twigs or other debris that can prevent proper drainage. Flush the gutters with water to inspect the joints. Tighten the brackets if necessary. For a more permanent solution, consider installing a gutter guard.
10. Check Smoke Detectors/Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to keep your family safe. There should be at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, particularly near sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested monthly and batteries replaced when they chirp. Carbon monoxide detection is important year-round since it’s an odourless, colourless toxic gas. One should be on every floor of the house, including the basement. Most accidental carbon monoxide poisonings occur in January, followed by December.
11. Stock Up on Cold Weather Supplies
The worst time to realize you’ve run out of salt or your shovel is broken is in the middle of a snowstorm. Now is the time to take stock of your supplies. Fuel up and test all snow removal equipment. Stock up on sidewalk salt, firewood and cold-weather windshield wiper fluid.
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