Fall maintenance checklist by goodhouse

Fall is here!!! With the seasons changing your home needs some love going into winter! To keep your house looking its best, it's important to take preventative measures every season. Take good care of your home and obliterate your fall maintenance checklist with goodhouse! We do it all, so you don’t have to! Request your services today by signing up here.

1. Clean and repair gutters Keeping gutters clean and repaired can prevent ice dams, which can cause expensive repairs. Check your gutters to make sure that they are free of leaves and twigs. Keep an eye out for any worn or damaged gutters, replacing them when necessary.
   

2. Seal up air leaks and inspect windows Invest in exterior caulk to seal cracks between trim and siding, around window frames, and where wires and pipes enter the house. Sealing up a drafty house can save you on heating expenses.
   

3. Inspect roof Check your roof for cracked, buckled, or missing shingles, or damage on your flashing. It's important to fix issues with your roof as soon as you see them. If they're left untreated, it can lead to further problems.
   

4. Winterize pool To winterize your pool, you will need to lower the water level, drain, add appropriate winterizing chemicals, and cover.
   

5. Prep lawn (fertilization, leaves, trimming) If you want to keep your lawn looking great, make sure to fertilize it in the fall. Fall fertilization helps give your lawn's roots all the energy and nourishment they need to grow during those colder months.
   

6. Protect faucets from freezing Your hoses might burst when they freeze. To keep the pipes safe, use an air compressor to force the water out of them. Alternatively, you can put your hoses on a slope to ensure that they drain.
   

7. Freshen furnace filter Replace your furnace filters. It’s best to perform this task every two months - If you haven’t this year, now is the time! If your HVAC has a humidifier filter - it may be best to have a contractor change it for you.
   

8. Give your furnace a checkup To ensure your heat works properly this winter, you need to book an inspection and tune up with a licensed HVAC technician. Goodhouse offers this service - please contact us for more details!
   

9. Inspect and replace batteries in detectors Ensure that your smoke and CO detectors are in working order. Smoke detectors normally last 10 years, whereas CO detectors last around 6 years. Check battery life and expiration dates.
   

10. Ready fireplace Check the fireplace to make sure that the damper opens and closes correctly so it is safe for use. Make sure to look up inside of it to see if there are any branches or leaves blocking its way. Check to see if there are any broken or missing bricks on the chimney- all of which could lead to future problems.
    

11. Install or get humidifier running Did you know that dry air might lead to cracks in wood? Drier air can also be hard on your skin and lungs. Maintaining your central humidifier will ensure better comfort for yourself and others in the colder seasons.
    

12. Inspect and repair wood burning stoves Stovepipes should be checked for corrosion and cracks. It’s also important that necessary wall protection is put in place - according to the manufacturer's instructions.
    

13. Repair walkways, drives, and sidewalks Autumn is the perfect time to tackle damaged driveways, steps, and pathways. If not addressed, this kind of damage can cause greater hazards when it's icy outside.
    

14. Fall indoor cleaning This is the ideal season for cleaning and preparing your home for the winter and upcoming holiday season. Clean the house thoroughly and pack away your tank tops, shorts, and flip flops.
    

15. Touch up exterior paint There are many days in the Fall that are warm enough to work outside your home. Touch-up your paint and lengthen the life of your siding and trim.
    

16. Clean carpets It’s still warm enough to open your windows. Take advantage of this time and clean your carpet before the cool air sets in so you can take advantage of the natural drying process.
    

17. Winterize sprinkler systems and hoses Shut off your outside faucets, and drain the lines. Make sure you follow your irrigation system's instructions for draining and safeguarding from potential damage during freezes. Not sure you want to mess with it? Call the professionals at goodhouse!
    

18. Winterize gas grill Disconnect the gas line, remove the burner's fasteners, unplug the gas tubes from the gas lines, and raise the unit out of the way. Coat every inch of metal with cooking oil or grease to prevent rusting from excess moisture.
    

19. Change direction of ceiling fans Ceiling fans should spin clockwise at a slow pace during the cooler months. This creates an updraft which circulates warm air trapped close to the ceiling back into the room - saving you money on your heating bill!
    

20. Fall pest control spray To guard your home, spray in the fall to keep the insects out as they try to make their way in over the winter. Every home needs a pest control plan and the fall is one of the biggest times to pay attention. If you're seeing more bugs than usual in your home, now is the time to get ahead! Contact goodhouse for an easy quote.
    

Overwhelmed by the never-ending list of things to do? You're not alone! Don't panic - goodhouse has you covered. Just call us and we'll take care of all your home maintenance needs. Visit our pricing page for more information or click to download (apple) (android) our mobile app!