3 Maintenance Tasks To Focus On This Fall

Bright blue skies are still abundant, but fall is just around the corner. While long winters leave many people eagerly awaiting the summer heat, autumn also has its highlights and benefits. But before you add pumpkin spice to everything and pull out cozy sweaters, some fall maintenance on your house needs to be done.

As the days slowly get shorter, it’s essential to think ahead and prepare your house for fall and winter. Doing so will help to avoid costly and inconvenient repairs down the line. Here are some of the top fall maintenance tips every homeowner should be thinking about.

Inspect Your Roof and Gutters

There are few problems worse than a leaking roof, as once it starts, it only increases. Not only that but finding the source of the leak can be time-consuming. You can use binoculars to look from the ground to see if there are any missing or damaged shingles or rust spots on the flashing, but even if your roof looks like it’s in good condition from the ground, it’s a good idea to get annual or biannual checks that everything is in order.

An excellent time for this is in the fall, ensuring your roof is in the best condition possible to handle what’s ahead in winter. Contact roofing contractors for hire to have them check your roof and do any maintenance to get your roof in good working order.

It’s also important to ensure that fallen leaves and debris don’t build up on your roof or in your gutters. Remove leaves, twigs and other grime from your gutters to avoid ice dams. Check that gutters aren’t sagging or trapping water, and tighten the gutter hangers and downspout brackets. If any part of your gutters or downspouts are worn or damaged, replace them. Finally, be sure that downspouts extend five feet or more away from your home to prevent pooling around your foundation.

Fix Air Leaks

The last thing you want in the middle of winter is to find yourself in a freezing cold home despite blasting the heat. To avoid this, go around your home’s exterior and use exterior caulk to seal any cracks between your window trim and siding, as well as around window and door frames and anywhere that pipes or wires enter your home. Left unattended, these leaks can cause moisture to build up inside your walls, causing further damage. It’s also an easy and inexpensive fall maintenance task that will make your home more comfortable throughout the winter.

Check Your Furnace

Don’t leave your furnace check until the last minute when the first cold snap hits. If you wait until then and find out there’s a problem, chances are you won’t be the only one who waited, and you’ll be in for a wait to get an appointment. Schedule your annual appointment with a heating and cooling professional before the cold weather to ensure it’s tuned up for the coming winter. Also, remember to change your furnace filters every two months.

By spending some time to ensure your home is ready for the fall and winter seasons, you can enjoy all these seasons have to offer, knowing you’re prepared for whatever they bring.