Fall and winter home maintenance tips

After summer’s heat, fall’s cooler days and changing leaves are a delight. We must follow nature’s seasonal changes. This includes putting on a sweater and preparing our homes for winter.

Autumn is a good time for critical maintenance. Here’s a list of fall home maintenance tasks, from the roof to the foundation and yard.

Missing shingles and leaks should be checked. Check for missing shingles and leaks with a professional. Fix them before winter winds and snow in the fall.
Clean gutters and extensions. Fall rains and winter snowmelt must drain off your roof and away from your foundation. Clear and repair gutters and downspouts as needed.
Unclog outdoor drains. Water needs a clear path from downspouts to outdoor drains to drain properly. This is the time to prepare them for snowmelt.
Hire a chimney sweep. Prepare your fireplace for cold autumn and winter days. A foundation expert should check for chimney tilting or cracks.
Insulate the attic. You’ll need enough attic insulation to reduce heat loss and heating costs.
Window-wash and caulk. It’s also a good time to clean and caulk windows to prevent drafts and leaks.
Cut trees and bushes. Avoid crowding your roof, walls, or foundation with trees and shrubs. Autumn is ideal for trimming.
Rake leaves and remove debris from the lawn. This is a good time to rake and remove lawn debris before winter snow.
Fix outdoor faucet leaks. Drain garden hoses to prevent freezing damage. Insulate exposed pipes.
Gas grill winterize. Clean food scraps, oil burners, and other metal parts to prevent rust, and cover it with snow. Turn off the propane tank.
Store the lawnmower. Using a fuel stabilizer and adding oil to the cylinder by removing the spark plug can help. Spring will bring activation.
Prepare snow-removal gear. When the snow flies, have the snowblower and shovels ready.
Fix driveways and sidewalks. Snow and rain can get into sidewalk or driveway cracks, then freezing can enlarge them. Prevent further deterioration by fixing them now.
Keep outdoor furniture. When it’s too cold to be outside, store your lawn furniture to protect it from snow and ice.
Apply your region’s fall fertilizer mix. Your lawn will benefit from fertilizing now.
Winterize your sprinklers. Continue watering your lawn through early fall to promote root growth and heat recovery. Then prevent freeze-damage.
Winterize your pool. As the temperature drops, close the pool and take precautions against freezing.
Furnace maintenance Replace the filters to get them ready for cold weather. Call an HVAC pro to make sure everything is ready.
Check smoke and CO2 alarms. This should be an annual event. Replace worn-out batteries.
Vent dryers. This eliminates a fire hazard caused by trapped moist air.
Empty basement window wells. Check the drains. In winter, you don’t want water pouring in from the windows.
Patch basement or crawlspace cracks. Rain and snowmelt enter cracks. As they refreeze, more cracks form. Prevent water from entering the basement or crawl space.
Basement or crawlspace waterproofing. Your basement or crawl space should be waterproofed. If not, now is the time to install a sump pump with battery backup.
Insulate basement walls. The foundation needs insulation like the attic and walls. This reduces heating costs and prevents snow from melting into foundation cracks.
Free foundation checkup. This includes ensuring your foundation is solid. Schedule a free inspection to find the fall preparations you missed.
Groundworks can assist. Trusted Foundation Inspection Near Me Studio City and repair services offer free inspections.