As the crisp fall air settles in, it’s the perfect time to prepare your home and yard for the colder months ahead. Taking a little time now to tackle seasonal maintenance can save you from bigger headaches when winter arrives. From protecting your pipes and prepping your lawn to weatherproofing your home and ensuring your heating system is ready to go, this checklist has you covered. Dive in and make sure your home is warm, safe, and efficient this season!
Fall Maintenance Checklist:
- Turn off the water supply to your exterior faucets, draining any water from the pipes to protect against bursts.
- If you’d rather not rake the leaves, use your lawnmower to shred them. They’ll break down over the winter and provide nutrients for your lawn.
- Weatherize your lawn mower before storing it away for the winter by cleaning off the blades, emptying the gas tank, and changing the oil.
- Prepare your snow & ice removal tools, so you’re ready for the first snowfall- shovels, snowblowers, and ice melt. Make sure you have gas for your snowblower.
- Put your ice scraper and a small shovel in your car if you’re not at home when a snowstorm hits.
- Check the weather stripping and caulking on your door and window frames. To prevent heat from escaping, repair or replace where necessary.
- Arrange for an annual tune-up of your heating system if you haven’t had one since the last heating season. This ensures your system is running efficiently.
- Adjust your programmable thermostat if needed, so your heat is ready when cold weather sets in. Most programmable thermostats run on batteries – be sure to check them if your thermostat won’t turn on.
- Check and if needed, change your air filters.
- Ensure your air vents are not obstructed by furniture to prevent your furnace from working harder.
Fall Cleaning Checklist
Open your screen doors and windows, turn up the music, enjoy the fresh air (before it gets too cold), and grab your cleaning supplies—it’s time to start your fall cleaning.
Fall cleaning has proven to help manage stress. However, knowing where to begin—tackling every dusty shelf, stubborn stain, and crumb-filled nook and cranny—can feel overwhelming.
We understand. That is why we did the research for you— a variety of experts and professionals shared their best spring cleaning tips and pointed out the spots that you’re probably overlooking (the washer/dryer, blinds, and ceiling fan, to name a few) shine.
We hope this comprehensive checklist will help you get your house smelling great, and you can invite your family and best friends over for quality time.
Also, this is a great reminder that mid-season is also the best time to take care of HVAC maintenance and prepare your heater for the winter.