Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

20 Sep Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Gutters & Downspouts

Your gutters and downspouts can get clogged throughout the year with leaves and other debris. Clogs are especially likely in the fall when leaves are falling and filling your gutters. Cleaning the gutters is actually pretty easy and we have some great tips and methods to help you accomplish the job. Check out our Best Gutter Cleaning Tips Blog for more information on that subject.

Once you’ve cleaned the gutters, make sure your downspouts are also clear. If you have horizontal extension pips, remove these first. Place a hose into the downspout from the top and have someone turn on the water. If the water doesn’t flow out, check out our Tips for Clearing a Clogged Downspout Blog for help. Remember to check any horizontal extension pipes for clogs. Once you’ve removed all clogs, rinse your gutter system by inserting a hose into the gutter at the section furthest from the downspout opening and turn on the water. Let it run for several minutes until the water flowing out of the downspout is clear of debris.

Doors & Windows

Check your windows from the inside and the outside of your home. Look for any visible cracks in the caulking or gaps between the window and the frame. Apply a new layer of exterior-grade caulking to seal up any gaps or cracks to prevent air or water from getting into your home.

Check your doors from the inside and outside. From the inside, inspect the threshold beneath the doors and look for daylight or other indicators that the gap between the bottom of the door is too large. You can apply new weather stripping or adjust the threshold to properly seal the gaps around your doors. Inspect the kickplate and seal on external facing doors.

Attic & Roof

When you’re cleaning out the gutters, take a moment to check out the condition of your roof. Signs that you probably need a roof include:

• Any roof older than 20-25 years should be routinely inspected.
• Curling, buckling, or missing shingles.
• Shingle grit inside your gutters.
• Moss, mold, or rot
• Check for leaks in your home and attic.

Inside your attic, check your insulation for discoloration, matting, or dampness. If you find these, they may be a sign of a roof leak or a condensation problem. Dusty or dirty insulation mar be an indication of an air leak where heated air from within your home is seeping up through the attic. If you have openings around pipes, wires, phone lines, and cables, you can repair these leaks with caulk or expanding foam.

Lighting

After the fall equinox, you will notice that the days are getting shorter and the nights even longer. Now is the perfect time to update your lighting ahead of trick-or-treaters, snowy nights, and holiday guests paying visits to your home. You can install low-voltage or solar landscape lighting along your walkways to illuminate walking paths and encourage visitors to take a safer route to the front door. Motion-sensor floodlights are also great options. They can help your guests find their way, they can ward off unwanted animal visitors, and can help deter crime.

Trees & Shrubs

1. Clean up debris using one of our easy cleanup methods
   • Use a Tarp: Rake all the leaves and sticks onto a tarp for easier hauling to the burb or compost pile
   • Rake into Rows: Raking into rows makes bagging a breeze because you can separate the leaves into a more manageable portion at the end of the row.
   • Use Leaves as Fertilizer: You can use your lawnmower to shred leaves into small pieces that will settle into the grass and decompose throughout the season into a natural fertilizer for the fall.
2. Remove dead shrubs and trees
   • You can do it yourself or hire a professional to take down your dead shrubs and trees.
     • Remember, fall is a great time to plant new trees and shrubs, so even if you have to take out a favorite of yours, at least you can plant your new favorite in its place!