As the days grow shorter and colder, it’s time to make sure your home is ready for the upcoming abundance of falling leaves, chilly temperatures, and winter storms. Doing some fall house upkeep now can keep you from having problems later on, so that you can take pleasure in the entirety of what makes autumn great without concern. It is possible for many of the jobs listed to be done by the homeowner, yet there are benefits to having a specialist take care of them, and it could be a good investment. By taking preventive measures now, you will be able to avoid spending a lot of money in the future and safeguarding yourself from potential hazards. Examine our fall home upkeep plan and become familiar with key directions for wiping out downspouts, rooftops, chimneys, and more.

Check Your Detectors

Doing a few basic things can assist you in protecting yourself and your assets. It is likely that you will be raising the temperature in your home soon, so it is crucial to check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are all functioning properly. It might be a good idea to evaluate your water-leak detectors now. Check the functionality of outlets with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) by running a test, then reset them accordingly. While you’re doing that, make sure any home security systems are operating correctly.

Replace Air Filters

Swapping out the air filters is the most crucial upkeep task for heating and cooling systems. Examine your filter periodically until you observe how rapidly it accumulates debris at different seasons. When a filter has a layer of dirt covering it, making it hard to make out what is on the other side when held up to a light, it is an indication that it should be replaced – typically every four months.

Clear Floor Drains

Pour water down indoor drains in order for them to function properly. Ensure that exterior drains aren’t blocked or stopped up with leaves and other matter.

Clean Your Gutters

It is a rather untidy task, but somebody needs to take on the responsibility: Without properly functioning gutters, it can lead to severe issues, for instance, flooded basements and crawlspaces, destroyed exterior surfaces and trimmings, and crumbling internal walls. If you install gutter guards, you won’t have to clean your gutters as frequently; however, they are not 100% effective at preventing debris from getting in.

A crucial safety recommendation: When transporting your ladder and carrying out your task, keep a good distance from power lines as they may not be properly protected. Coming into contact with one, particularly if you have a metallic ladder or standing on one, can cause a sudden and permanent stop to your job of cleaning gutters. Every year, sadly, there are numerous deaths of employees and house owners. Electricity can leap through the air from a power line to a metal ladder that is placed too near it. A ladder made of dry fiberglass is significantly more secure, but it may not keep shocks from occurring.

Have a Backup Plan for Your Sump Pump

Think about installing an extra sump pump along with an alarm at the top of the sump pit if you already have one guarding your finished basement or it tends to turn on frequently. This could prevent unfortunate flooding later on.

Double-Check Ductwork

Examine the ductwork that is exposed for any holes or breaks in it and seal them with mastic tape or a type of tape made for HVAC systems. Ducts that are not sealed properly can result in a loss of up to 20% of the energy used to heat a home.

Deal with Drafts

Starting in 2023, the federal government will provide a tax credit that can assist with the costs of energy assessments (of up to $150 each) which will expose air leaks and reimburse up to $600 in materials to seal them. Customers can receive up to $1,600 in discounts for the installation of insulation, air sealing, and ventilation upgrades, as well as extra money-saving rewards for projects expected to diminish energy expenses for the home.

Meanwhile, completing a few simple and inexpensive tasks can lead to a considerable decrease in your utility bills. Search for drafts on a cold, breezy day; close all doors and windows; turn on exterior exhaust fans such as bathroom fans or range hoods; and then light an incense and move around your home looking to see which way the smoke is drawn to recognize potential drafts. Check the places where different materials connect — like brick and wood siding, walls and the foundation, and the junction between the chimney and siding. Shut off all illumination in the attic and search for openings where rays of sunlight can be seen entering. Fill any crevices or spaces that are smaller than 1/4-inch with caulk. For larger cracks, use polyurethane foam sealant. In order to prevent air from escaping around doors and windows, install weather stripping and replace it periodically every few years. Verify the insulation level in your attic. The majority of houses in the United States do not have an adequate amount of insulation; nevertheless, the cost of adding more insulation is compensated with the energy saved over time.

Program Your Thermostat

Reset your thermostat for cool weather. Programmable thermostats easily save you a lot of energy. If you are not at your house during the day, lower the temps by 10 to 15 degrees while you are gone to reduce your energy costs by up to 15% per year. Sadly, most people who own programmable thermostats do not take advantage of them, although newer versions make it really easy to set them up.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fan

Change the direction of the switch on your ceiling fans so that the blades turn in a clockwise motion during the winter. The process of cool air being drawn towards the ceiling forces the warmer air downwards towards you.

Check Your Chimney

Look to see if there is an excessive accumulation of soot and creosote, which is a combustible, dark material that can cover the interiors of chimneys and become a potential source of fire. There is no definite frequency for when to have chimneys cleaned. The effectiveness of it hinges on its design and frequency of use.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America suggests that masonry fireplaces be cleaned when they develop 1/8 inch of sooty accumulation, while factory-built fireplaces should be cleaned more frequently. Take caution against firms that use an inspection and cleaning of your chimney as an excuse to suggest pricey, unnecessary services. Exercise caution when a chimney services tells you that the safety of your chimney is dependent on you spending thousands on a new liner or other pricey repairs.

Remove the Rot

Inspect, repair and correct damage from the rainy season. Inspect the top of the building, exterior walls, sealing along the windows, entryways and gaps between siding panels. Look for rotting wood, peeling paint and deteriorated seals. Check out fences, decks, and other wooden structures to see if they need a new coat of sealant, to be repaired, or to be replaced completely.

Watch the Water

Take a walk around the outside of your house while it’s raining, ensuring that the rainwater is draining away from the sides of the building, not towards them. Ensure that the water runoff from your gutters is released no closer than three or four feet from your house. If you notice any issues, it might be a good idea to bring in a drainage organization to conduct regrading operations.

Trim the Trees

Cut back any bushes and any plants that come in contact with your home. Remove dead or dying trees or large limbs. Trim any limbs that could possibly come in contact with or drop onto your home. Cut branches that are too large to hold with your hands by stubbing them, and leave a clean-cut trunk afterward. Be aware that trimming coniferous trees, commonly referred to as evergreens, like pines, spruces, firs, and yews, should be done in a different way than trimming other trees and shrubs since these kinds of trees don’t regrow. If you trim them to give them a certain shape or make them smaller in size, you will have to accept the outcome.

Seal Up Air Leaks

A house with gaps around windows and doors is akin to wearing a coat without doing up the buttons. Sealing up openings in a house caused by cracked caulk and weatherstripping can help you save as much as 20 percent on your heating bills, according to the U.S. This can prevent cold air from entering your home. Department of Energy.

Installing weatherstripping is the most affordable method to reduce heating and cooling expenses. This unassuming material also decreases air flow and keeps your home more pleasant all year. It is sensible to inspect weatherstripping at regular intervals because it can become damaged over time. Check your weatherstripping by shutting a door or window on a piece of paper to see if you can detect any issues. If the paper slides through the opening without any resistance, then it means that the weatherstripping has not been installed correctly. Close the door or window and keep the burning candle next to the frame, but make sure it does not come in contact with anything that could potentially catch fire. If the flame dances or wavers over any part of the frame, then you have a problem with air escaping.

Besides scrutinizing weather stripping, search for any missing or broken caulk around windows, doors, and any pathways for electric, cable, phone, and gas access. Seal any gaps with a suitable caulk. If cold air is still coming through your windows, you should think about exchanging them for new ones. Windows composed of multiple panes, divisions, or having gases such as argon or krypton inserted between them should help solve the issues. An expert can replace the windows that are causing trouble with newer versions that will give you more comfort while decreasing the costs of heating.

Inspect Your Roof

Having a roof that is leaking can be one of the most distressing issues faced by homeowners. Once the leakage commences, locating the cause can be time-consuming. Avoid issues during autumn before icy weather and gusty wintery winds make them from minor nuisances into catastrophic events.

Begin by thoroughly examining your roof from the highest point to the lowest point, employing binoculars if needed. Check ridge shingles for cracks and wind damage. Inspect metal flashing in valleys, around vents, and around chimneys for any signs of damage. Examine the entire roof thoroughly to look for shingles that are missing, warped, or damaged. Check your gutters for large amounts of granules, an indicator that your roof is losing the protection it has, which could point to more serious issues. Finally, make sure your gutters are flowing freely.

A recommendation from the editor: Even if it’s not being utilized, a television antenna mounted on the roof may be affixed with cables for steadying it. Look for loose or missing guy wires. If you no longer need an antenna since you have no use for it anymore, it might be a good idea to have it taken down.

Protect Faucets from Freezing Temperatures

If you reside in a place with extremely cold temperatures, be sure to take precautions with outdoor taps (also known as sill cocks) and underground watering systems so that they do not freeze and break. First, switch off any valves attached to exterior taps, then open the outside tap to empty the line (it is possible to loosen a small lid on the tap to make draining easier). If you have faucets without shut-off valves and they are not designed to endure freezing temperatures, purchasing styrofoam faucet covers from home centers, such as Walmart, could be a beneficial solution that only costs $7.

Follow the instructions from the producer to drain and defend an in-ground irrigation system from cold weather damage.

Freshen Your Furnace Filter

Furnace filters prevent dust particles from being circulated in the home by keeping them trapped. Blocked filters make it more challenging to maintain a pleasant temperature in your home, causing your utility costs to go up. A bit of upkeep every 30 days is all you need to keep these filtersclear of dirt and grime. Disposable filters can be vacuumed once before replacement. Vacuuming foam filters is an option, but one does not need to replace them unless they are damaged in some way. Use a soft brush on a vacuum cleaner. If the filter is made of metal or is an electrostatic filter, take it off and use a strong stream of water to clean it.

Give Your Furnace a Checkup

It is beneficial to have a professional inspect your heating system on an annual basis. Think about doing this task in the early autumn before winter arrives so you won’t have a mad dash at the last minute. Here are signs that you should have an inspection performed sooner:

  • Noisy belts: Unusual screeches or whines could be a signal that belts connected to the blower motor are worn or damaged.
  • Poor performance: A heating system that doesn’t seem to work as well as it once did could be a sign of various problems. Your heating ducts might be blocked, the burners might be misadjusted, or the blower motor could be on its last legs. The first step, however, is to make sure your furnace filter is clean.
  • Erratic behavior: This could be caused by a faulty thermostat or a misadjusted furnace.

Keep the Humidifier Humming

The aridity of winter can be hard on your complexion and nasal passages, but did you know that it can make certain types of wood more prone to breaking? Having your central humidifier well-maintained while it’s active will make both you and your home much more comfortable. Examine the discs or pads, and if necessary, soak them in a strong laundry cleanser solution. Scrub away mineral build-up using either a wire brush or steel wool.

Ward Off Gas Problems

Maintaining a gas heater in proper condition is important from a safety standpoint as well as financially. A heater that is not looked after correctly can produce dangerous fumes into the house atmosphere, or it might be making you spend more on running it. Have a professional check these devices annually. There are also some maintenance items you should address. First, shut off the heater. Examine the air-shutter and exhaust vents for any dirt or dust. Use the vacuum to remove dirt and debris from the airways that lead to the burner, and also clean the burner itself. Follow the manufacturer’s advice for any other needed maintenance.

Repair Walkways

Walkways, drives, and steps that have been damaged can present a hazard during any season, but the danger they pose becomes especially serious when conditions are icy. It is necessary to take care of problems in the autumn in order to keep minor cracks from escalating into costly disasters. Examine staircases for any separations wider than 1/8 of an inch, to note any areas that are not even, and check railings to make sure they are secure. Inspect loose-fill pathways for deterioration of asphalt or erosion of materials. DIYers should be able to handle many small jobs, but major repairs should be left to the professionals.

Jonathan
Author: Jonathan