- Similar to a car, your home requires regular check-ups to keep it running smooth all year round. As you wind down from the summer heat and start pulling out your hoodies for fall, take some time to tackle a few simple chores to prepare your home to take on winter in all its glory.
- Here are some of our recommended fall home maintenance tips.
- Disconnect your garden hoses from outdoor faucets and drain them before storing inside for the winter. While you’re at it, turn off any shutoff valves that lead to exterior faucets to avoid unnecessary leaks.
- Clean your gutters to clear all the leaves, twigs and general gunk that might build up during the summer months. Clogged rain gutters come winter could cause ice dams, leading to expensive repairs you won’t want to worry about.
- Don’t leaf it for later – rake ‘em now! That’s right, spending time for typical fall yard work will save you time and money later on. That means raking leaves, trimming trees, and cutting back foliage.
- Double-check your door and window seals, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and even your dryer vent. It’s easy to forget about these seemingly little things, but maintaining them well will mean a safer home for your family, and may run your home more efficiently.
- Lastly, one of the biggest things we’ve noticed people don’t do, but should—service your home mechanicals. At the beginning of fall, have your furnace serviced by a professional and in turn, have your air conditioning serviced come spring, as well. Prevent an emergency later on by having your furnace and air conditioning serviced at least once every other year. This allows you to maintain your units on your time, and your dime.
- If you’ve bought a home within the last few years and are starting fall clean-up, go back through your home’s inspection report. There, the inspector will have noted areas for you to watch out for that are specific to your home. This will help you get a jump-start on your fall home maintenance projects.
- If you’re considering a move, or have any questions about annual home maintenance, we’d love to meet with you and walk you through the process. Contact us to set up a meeting today.
Fall Home Maintenance Tips
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Randy Brock
- housing, minnesota, real estate, rochester, Rochester MN, rochmn
