Projects for the Fall Season

Why: Taking care of small maintenance projects now can help you  catch potential problems before they become potentially more expensive.  

Use these 10 fall maintenance tips to get your home ready!!

1. Clean and Properly Store Your Lawn Mower

Use fuel stabilizer so that gas does not deteriorate and damage the engine. Fuel stabilizer prevents gas from degrading. Add stabilizer to your gasoline storage container and also top off your mower tank with stabilized gas before you put it away for the winter. Run the mower for a few minutes to circulate the stabilizer in the engine. Another option is to run your mower dry of gas before storing it.

2. Trim Trees & Branches Around Your Home

Take a walk around your property and look for dead, damaged, or overgrown branches near your roof, windows, driveway and power lines. 

Fall is a good time to address potential hazards before winter, winds, and ice and snow put additional stress on trees.

3. Clean Gutters

Clogged rain gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs and any other debris. 

Clean gutters will also help prevent rain water from overflowing next to your foundation which can cause a basement and or crawl space to leak.

4. Organize The Garage

Most people use their garage for storage rather than parking their car. Consider organizing with shelving, hooks and systems specifically designed for a garage. 

5. Service Your Furnace

Schedule an appointment for a furnace inspection and service to help avoid a breakdown in the middle of winter. Replace furnace filters to improve system effiency.

6. Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms

Make sure your family's safety devices are ready for the months ahead. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replace batteries if needed and check that you have detectors in the appropriate areas in your home. If your detectors are older, it may be time to replace them.

7. Clean Your Dryer Vent

Lint buildup can reduce efficiency and create a fire hazard.

8. Check Your Sump Pump

Fall is a great time to make sure your sump pump is ready before the heavy rain, snow and spring thaw arrives. Test that it turns on properly, check the discharge line, and make sure water can flow away from the house.

9. Inspect Your Foundation

Walk around your home's exterior and interior and look for new cracks, gaps or areas where water seems to be collecting. Small foundation issues are much easier to address before they become bigger problems.

10. Check Doors and Windows for Drafts

Worn weatherstripping can let cold air in and make your heating system work harder.