Your home’s maintenance needs to change from season to season. For example, in the spring after the snow and ice thaw out, you may need to aerate and fertilize your lawn. Now that summer is over and autumn has arrived, it is time to follow these effective fall home maintenance steps. It may take you a few weekends to complete these steps, so it’s wise to start soon!
The Importance of Fall Home Maintenance
Before you begin working on your fall home maintenance checklist, first prioritize your tasks. Summer takes a toll on many parts of your home and fall maintenance tasks can erase signs of damage so that your home continues to be a protective shelter for you and your family going forward. Likewise, winter can be equally brutal on your home, and completing some maintenance tasks now will prevent seasonal damage over the frigid months ahead. These are some effective and essential maintenance steps to follow during the fall months.
1. Prepare Your Lawn and Gardens
Your lawn and garden’s autumn needs will vary based on the type of vegetation and the overall climate. In many locations, the ground soil will freeze for long weeks on end. This can damage or destroy roots. Applying a thick blanket of mulch over your beds will offer some protection. You may also need to cover your less hardy plants to keep ice and snow off of them in wintery weather.
2. Winterize Your Sprinkler System
The water in your sprinkler system pipes can easily freeze. When it does, it may cause a rupture and burst, much like the pipes in your home if they become frozen. Because sprinkler system pipes are buried in the soil, it may be months before you identify this type of leak. During this time, water may leak from the pipe and cause expensive water waste as soon as the ice melts. An easy way to avoid this type of damage is to winterize your sprinkler system. You may request professional assistance to complete this task or read this article for instructions on how to do it yourself.
3. Clean the Gutters
Leaves and other debris collect in your gutters during the summer and fall months. During the winter, ice and snow can accumulate on this debris to create a heavy mess. In addition, the moisture from winter rains, snow, and ice melt may not be able to drain through the downspouts. This can ultimately cause roof damage, rot the fascia, and result in other problems. For all of these reasons, it is important to clean your gutters during fall.
4. Check the Roof
During the summer months, UV rays, winds, and heavy rains can cause serious damage to your roof. However, some damage may not be easily identified by a homeowner. You can inspect the roof from the ground level to identify areas of concern, but it is also a smart idea to schedule a seasonal roof inspection. The inspector can recommend any maintenance or repair work that is needed to prepare your home for winter.
5. Service Your HVAC System
Fall home maintenance should also include seasonal HVAC system maintenance. Hire a professional to clean all components and replace any worn out parts. HVAC maintenance helps your heating system stay in good condition and operate more efficiently throughout the winter.
These are essential fall home maintenance steps that can erase signs of summer damage and prepare your home for the winter. Keep in mind that your home may also have other maintenance needs. Incorporate these steps into a full maintenance plan for the fall.
Homeworx Services provides home inspection services to Northern Virginia. Contact us to schedule an appointment.