Brace yourself, Chicagoland; the prelude to winter is coming! And with it come all the home maintenance tasks that will, upon completion, make the said winter comfy and warm. Don’t think of the upcoming weeks as the season of domestic drudgery. Find an extra pair of hands, go through our fall home maintenance checklist, and choose uplifting music to accompany you. Who said it couldn’t be fun even if it needs to be done?
Home Maintenance: Always a Good ROI
The home maintenance checklist exists for a reason. It’s a reminder to keep the home in shape and ensure the safety of its residents. There are also financial considerations to make. Following the list regularly will help you sell your home more easily and for more money when the time comes. It will also help you save long-term on repairs you can avoid.
Depending on the state of your property, there will be things you’d need to replace, fix, or simply clean and store away safely. Once you inspect your home, you will have a better picture of the necessary investment. Don’t worry; proper home maintenance always pays off.
Should you need to conduct household repairs right after the move, handle this right away because waiting will only worsen the issue. In other words, you risk injury, further deterioration of your home, and more expensive repairs later.
There’s no time to waste. Let the fall home maintenance checklist guide you!
Interior Home Maintenance Tips
What should you check inside your home?
- Inspect your doors and windows for drafts. Heat loss due to draft is getting significantly more expensive as we speak; caulking and weatherstripping aren’t.
- Have a licensed contractor service your heating system. They will check if your radiators require bleeding, change filters, and conduct other checks and repairs if needed.
- Check your fireplace and chimney. Cracks on the glass panel doors, a clogged chimney, and a spent fireplace door gasket are all a cause for concern – and repair.
- If you have a ceiling fan, clean it and change its spinning direction. The way the blades spin matters. The counterclockwise direction in summer creates a cooling breeze; in winter, switch to clockwise to allow an updraft to spread warm air.
- Clean and inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, kitchen hood, humidifiers, and air conditioning. You will spend more time indoors, and you’d want to make sure they all work properly. Change the batteries where necessary and wash and disinfect the filters.
- Check your basement and attic. Often just a storage space, these areas are less frequently trafficked, and smaller issues get overlooked. Check for signs of water damage, mold, pest infestation, cracks, and draft.
Now, it’s time to go outside.
Exterior Home Maintenance Tips
Examine your home from top to bottom and complete the outdoor tasks of our fall home maintenance checklist.
- Inspect your roof. Loose or missing shingles are easily seen from the ground. For closer inspection, hire a professional roofer. Safety first!
- Clean and flush rain gutters and downspouts. Rotting leaf and gunk buildup clog the gutters and cause water buildup and ice dams. Check the joints, and if the gutters are sagging, fasten the brackets.
- Scan the outer walls for issues. Peeling or bubbling paint, cracks in the walls and holes around the place where wires or pipes enter your home are all calls to action.
- Take care of your porch and deck. It is key to inspect supports, steps, and handrails of your porch or deck for any sign of structural damage. Humidity and cold weather will make things only worse, so make sure you fix any issues on warm and dry fall days.
- Clean and store outdoor furniture. Clean, dry, wrap and then store your wooden furniture. A facility providing climate-controlled conditions is ideal for keeping the pieces safe until next year if you lack sufficient storage space.
- Prepare your lawn and garden plants for winter. Fall is the time to rake, aerate, reseed, and fertilize your lawn and prune shrubs and trees. This is done to prepare the lawn and plants for the spring but also to prevent possible damage to your home due to strong winds.
- Clean your garden tools and drain irrigation system. Empty the garden hose, disconnect it from the tap, and store it inside. Shut off the outdoor valves and drain the sprinkler system as it may brake due to freezing.
- Declutter and organize your garage. Getting rid of excess and decluttering your garage now will make it ready for the winter regime. Bring out winter tools, gear, and a car kit and check them.
- Check and repair your driveway. Pressure wash, inspect it afterward, fill any cracks, and seal them. Not only will you improve your curb appeal and make your home more attractive, but you’ll also make it safer in rain and winter.
- Paint and protect your wooden or metal fence. Summer is rarely kind to fences, whether they’re wooden or metal. Paint peels and wears off, so it’s of utter importance to clean the fence, remove any rusty patches, repaint it and seal it.
- Test your snow equipment and prepare your yard for the first snow. Make sure your snowblower and other winter equipment are working properly before you need it. Remove pots and rocks, tools, and other garden accessories, as they will interfere when you start cleaning snow from your entryway.
Your home maintenance job is over. Ready for an apple and cinnamon cider?
Final Notes
With a good fall home maintenance checklist in hand, you are almost ready for this crucial seasonal task. It only remains to repeat: no need to do it alone, no need to do it all at once. And after you finish, you will have months to enjoy, cozy in your warm and safe dream home until it’s time for spring maintenance, of course.
About Gerardo Zavala, Realtor
There is a true passion for connecting people with real estate that makes me fall in love with my career over and over again. While my title says, REALTOR® I think I am much more than that. For example, I am present and actively listening to my client’s needs, on the spot when things are urgent, and by your side to say “congratulations.” Most of my clients will say that I am a connection away from support no matter the situation, day, or time. In my opinion, customer service, educating the client on progress and next steps, and overall satisfaction are my top priorities. How can I help you?