It seems like just yesterday we were finishing up our spring cleaning tasks, doesn’t it? You got your home organized and prepped your patio or deck for the summer months ahead just as the air started to get warmer and the days were getting longer. Well, now that the air is cooling down and the days are getting shorter, it’s time to prepare your home for winter.

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks – Outside the Home

Starting some outside fall home maintenance tasks while the weather is still decent is a good idea. Before the snow starts falling, take some time to prepare the outside of your home for winter. Some of the tasks you should consider completing are:

• Store the patio furniture. Patio furniture can be a large investment, so keep it in good condition by moving it into the garage or shed. At the very least, you should cover it with a tarp to protect it from the elements. Make sure you clean it thoroughly before storing, too.
• Protect the deck or patio. Wood decks should be sealed with a high quality seal or stain before the first snowfall. Sweep leaves and debris from the patio and give it a good power washing for a deep clean.
• Clean out the gutters. This is an important task, because a clogged gutter can cause serious damage to your home. Clear out the leaves, twigs and dirt and hose gutters down to ensure there won’t be any flooding in your home as the snow melts in the spring.
• Drain hoses and faucets. Make sure your hoses and faucets are completely drained of water to protect your home’s plumbing. You can further protect outside faucets by covering them with an insulated faucet cover.
• Clean the chimney. If you have a fireplace and you plan on using it over the winter, make sure you get it cleaned before the cold weather sets in. Left uncleaned, the chimney could clog and lead to a home full of thick smoke!
• Inspect the roof. Get up on the roof and make sure no shingles are missing and that there doesn’t appear to be any visible damage anywhere. It’s easy for snow and wind to penetrate the through if your roof isn’t in great condition.

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks – Inside the Home

Once you’re finished up outside, here are some of the fall maintenance tasks to take care of inside the home:

• Schedule your annual furnace check. It’s important to schedule an annual furnace check to ensure that your system is in proper working order- preferably before you need to use it on that first cold night!
• Change the furnace filter. Use the changing of the season as a reminder to swap out your furnace filter. A clean filter keeps your system working properly, extends the life of your furnace and can improve the indoor air quality of your home.
• Check windows and doors for gaps in the seals. A general rule of thumb is that if you see any light sneaking in around window and door frames the weather-stripping needs to be replaced. Older doors and windows can be particularly drafty, so you might even consider installing new ones before the winter arrives.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Like your furnace filter, the changing of the season can be used as a reminder to test out your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and switch out the batteries if necessary.
• Increase insulation in the attic. If the insulation in your attic is less than 16 to 20 inches thick, you should consider increasing the amount, especially if what’s up there is damaged.

Do you need to schedule your annual furnace check this fall? If you’re in the Cleveland area, give us a call at 216-663-6462.