With the long summer days slowly becoming a distant memory, our focus now shifts to the upcoming season. As a homeowner, that means preparing our homes for winter weather. From yard work to home repairs, Fall Home Maintenance comes with a long to-do list. Sure, some tasks may not be as fun as apple picking and sipping pumpkin spice lattes. But unfortunately, they’re a necessary part of preparing your home to withstand the winter weather.
We’ve compiled a checklist of our Top Fall Home Maintenance Tips to help you determine what needs doing in the next few weeks. Let’s get started!
1. Complete Fall Lawn Maintenance
Just when you started getting in a rhythm with summer lawn care, it’s time to shift gears to fall lawn maintenance.
After the summer’s heat, your property’s soil is likely hard, dry, and compacted. You’ll want to start with an aeration treatment to prevent your grass and flower beds from suffocating. Use either hollow tine aeration or spiking to allow water and nutrients to reach the grass root and speed up recovery.
Next, apply lawn fertilizer. Not only does this prevent winter damage to your grass, but it also helps your lawn, trees, and shrubs turn green faster in the spring.
According to Chrissy Handley, a Lawn Care Specialist for Online Turf, “Autumn is the perfect time to feed your lawn. It creates a stable base for your grass to toughen up and prepare for the incoming colder months. Healthier, rich soil also minimizes the chances of any lawn diseases or weeds developing.
If you lack the time (or green thumb) to complete this piece of your fall home maintenance, consider hiring a professional lawn care service.
2. Complete Exterior Inspections
The last thing you want to do this winter is climb outside for repair work on your home. To avoid that, you’ll want to complete a thorough exterior inspection and make necessary repairs. There are several areas you’ll need to check:
Your Roof and Chimney
If your roof leaks, finding the source can be time-consuming. In the winter, it can be downright impossible due to heavy layers of snow and ice over the top.
To stop leaks before they can start, closely review your roof from top to bottom. Besides identifying areas of missing, curled, or broken shingles, you’ll want to see if granules accumulate in your gutters. If so, your roof could be losing its coating, potentially leaving it vulnerable to accruing damage.
In your ridge shingles, look for cracks and wind-related wear. Around your vents and chimney, check for any issues to metal flashing in valleys.
The same goes for your chimney. Ensure your chimney cap is intact and the flashing is in good condition. Complete any necessary repairs to missing or chipped bricks and mortar, and trim tree branches that overhand the chimney and roof line. Be sure to clean the flue and remove any leftover ash from last winter, using a professional if necessary. If you find any areas on your roof or chimney needing extensive repairs, now’s the time to call an expert.
Your Roof’s Drainage System
You need to be confident your roof’s drainage system is in optimal condition to drain hundreds of gallons of water throughout the winter.
Begin by checking your eavestroughs and downspouts, clearing them of debris and securing them properly. If your eavestroughs are in rough condition, get them replaced.
To reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you’ll have to do next spring, look into installing mesh gutter guards. These guards are a barrier, preventing leaves, twigs, and other debris from clogging your eavestroughs. They help maintain proper water flow and reduce the need for frequent maintenance, saving you time and effort in the long run.
As for your downspouts, ensure they’re 3-4 feet away from your home’s foundation to prevent interior water damage.
Your Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are your home’s first line of defence against the elements, playing a crucial role in keeping out harsh weather, insulating against temperature extremes, and maintaining energy efficiency.
“Windows and doors play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of you and your family,” says Tony Miceli, co-owner of Kempenfelt Windows & Doors. “They help keep out rain, wind, unwanted noise, and even burglars, provide natural light, and enhance the overall aesthetic of your space. Ensuring your windows and doors are in good condition safeguards your home and contributes to a comfortable and secure living environment.”
To see if your windows are ready for winter, Miceli suggests reviewing your window panes for signs of moisture, scratches, and cracks. Look for any rips or warping in screens and any cracks in window casing, weather stripping, and caulking.
The same goes for your entryway doors – check if they’re weathered, warped, or cracked. If your door is glass and has moisture between the panes, you may be putting yourself at risk of mould and mildew growth.
At the very least, Miceli emphasizes the importance of adequately caulking around your windows and doors. “This will not only reduce drafts in your home but also help lower your energy bills,” he asserts.
Your Garage Doors
Finally, don’t forget about your garage doors – another area potentially showing signs of wear and tear. To determine whether it’s time to repair or replace your garage door, you’ll want to assess for damage and consider how old the door is.
Though it’s possible to fix some typical garage door problems, choosing a new garage door could deliver greater benefits like improved operation, energy savings, and enhanced security for your home.
Winter freezes and thaws can impact caulking and seals. Check for gaps, cracks, or shifting, especially around windows. If you find any significant problems while inspecting your home’s windows and doors, it may be time to replace them. Contact a professional window and door replacement company that offers a free, no-obligation quote to review your options.
3. Complete HVAC Maintenance
To prepare your furnace for the cold weather ahead, you should start by cleaning or replacing your furnace filter. Do this before you turn the heat on to prevent accumulated dirt or dust from circulating within your home.
For permanent filters, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning directions. If you have a replaceable filter, ensure you’re swapping it out with the correct size to fit your furnace and a suitable level of filter protection. The higher the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERVs) rating, the better the filter removes particles from the air.
Thoroughly vacuum around your furnace and inside your floor and air vents to improve airflow. This extra cleaning allows your furnace to operate more efficiently without working as hard.
If you haven’t had your heating system inspected yet this year, now’s the time to make it happen. Otherwise, if you wait until the busy heating season begins, you may not be able to get an appointment right away.
Noisy belts, poor performance issues, or erratic behaviour are all telltale signs your furnace needs a professional checkup. Besides fixing furnace issues, a good HVAC technician can detect potential problems and offer advice on operating your furnace more efficiently.
If you have pets or recently completed renovations, fall is also a great time to clean your ducts.
Additional Fall Home Maintenance Checklist Items
Besides the major tasks outlined above, here’s what else you should add to your fall home maintenance checklist:
- Shut off, drain, and disconnect all garden hoses, and disconnect all outdoor faucets,
- Bring your outdoor furniture inside or cover it using waterproof protection,
- Repair any damage to your driveway and walkways,
- Get winter equipment (like your snow blower and generator) in working condition,
- Remove and properly store removable A/C units or power down your home’s A/C unit via your electrical panel,
- Complete an inspection on wood fireplaces,
- Review and maintain home safety features, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and fire escape plans,
- Clean out the garage to make space for parking your vehicle,
- Stock up on salt and sand for your home’s exterior,
- Inspect your sump pump, and
- Winterize outdoor lawn equipment.
As the temperatures change, keep your home comfortable by preventing drafts or moisture through proper maintenance. Learn more about keeping your home comfortable here.
The Bottom Line About Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
As a homeowner, there’s never a shortage of work to complete – and the fall months are no exception.
After summer ends, we have to spend time getting our homes ready for the long, cold months ahead, which involves fall lawn maintenance, exterior inspections, and furnace servicing. When completing your exterior inspections, pay close attention to your home’s windows and doors. After all, these areas can create up to 25 percent energy loss in your home.
When windows are old or damaged, consider replacing them to avoid major problems in the future. New ENERGY STAR-certified windows and doors are approximately 15-20 percent more energy-efficient than average ones. Window and door replacement provides energy savings and helps create a safer, more comfortable living environment for you and your family.
If window or door replacement is on your fall to-do list, we can help. Our team of professional installers complete window and door upgrades in all four seasons, meaning you don’t need to put this off until the spring.
To learn more about our competitive prices and 25-year transferrable warranty, contact us today for a complimentary, no-obligation quote.
FAQs About Fall Home Maintenance
Why is fall home maintenance important?
Fall home maintenance helps make your home more comfortable and safer for the upcoming colder months. By doing some maintenance now, you’re lowering your energy bills and avoiding potential larger problems that harsh weather can cause.
How often should I get my furnace serviced?
You should get your furnace serviced by a professional at least once a year. An HVAC tech will maintain your HVAC system, helping you avoid future problems and improve your energy efficiency.
How do I winterize my home?
Our fall home maintenance checklist above outlines three key areas to focus on: completing fall yard maintenance, inspecting your home’s exterior, and completing HVAC maintenance. To winterize your home for the colder weather, start by completing fall lawn maintenance, including aeration and fertilizer treatments. Thoroughly inspect and make repairs when necessary to your home’s exterior, including its roof, chimney, drainage system, windows, and doors. You’ll also want to clean and inspect your furnace. Additional tasks involve winterizing outdoor lawn equipment and water sources, storing seasonal items, and maintaining home safety features.
If you’re considering repairs or upgrades, our team at Kempenfelt Windows & Doors is ready to assist. Contact us for a consultation tailored to your home’s specific needs at marketing@kempenfeltwindows.com or (705) 737 – 1554.
Contact us to get started, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions! We look forward to working with you!
