Do you know what to do to maintain your home in autumn?
When the cooler temperatures of fall arrive, it’s time for another round of home maintenance. The tasks at this time of year might be the most important because the cold and wet weather can cause a lot of damage to our houses. Use the following two checklists to make sure your home is ready for our Canadian winters!
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Interior
- Have the furnace professionally inspected and replace the filter
- Clear forced air vents of any obstructions
- Check for air gaps around windows and caulk/seal as needed
- Inspect the weather stripping around doors and replace as needed
- Have the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected
- Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Check water pipes and faucets for any leaks
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Exterior
- Clean eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and debris
- Ensure the eavestroughs and downspouts are aligned properly
- Keep downspouts pointing away from the house or inserted into a rain barrel
- Clear your roof of tree branches/debris and look for damage, leaks, missing shingles, etc.
- Trim trees and keep branches two feet away from your house and air conditioner
- Rake leaves and clean up the yard
- Make sure the yard grading slopes away from the house
- Examine the foundation for cracks and repair as needed
- Inspect under the siding for holes where pests might get in
- Check exterior lighting, replacing bulbs and resetting timers as needed
- Fix any cracks in concrete steps or driveway, etc.
- Drain outdoor faucets, hoses and sprinkler systems
