1. Start at the top with roofing repairs.
Begin your fall house maintenance with an important step: checking your roof or shingles for damage. Shingles must lie between 40 and 85 degrees to avoid sliding under snow and ice. Otherwise, the shingles will crack, and cold weather may make it difficult for the adhesive to adhere to the roof. Make a plan to remove the old shingles and get a professional to fix any missing or peeling shingles.
Every year, the drainage system on your roof diverts tons of water from the outdoors. Water in your basement or damaged external surfaces can be caused by clogged gutters, leaving them vulnerable to corrosion and rust. Don’t forget to clean out leaves from gutters and cover them with mesh gutter guards to prevent future clogs.
2. Protect your deck.
Safety inspections of your deck are a must-do on the autumn home maintenance checklist. Spray water on various spots around the desk and reseal if water seeps into the planks. The deck will be secure throughout the winter if water beads up or forms puddles.
Look for any loose screws or nails to prevent cold weather damage. Tighten or replace fasteners as needed. Power wash the deck and inspect it for splintering or cracking. If necessary, fill the cracks in the wood with epoxy. Use a water-repellent stain to prevent damage from melting ice and snow.
Fall home maintenance tip: While winterizing your outdoor space, wipe down and spit clean any outdoor furniture. Store all cushions, pillows, rugs, and umbrellas inside or out of the elements for the winter.
3. Cover air leaks.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing up a drafty house can save up to 20% on heating costs. Cracks in caulk or weatherstripping allow cold air into your warm home. Applying new caulk and weatherstripping will help stop drafts.
Heating and cooling account for 47% of energy expenditures. Effective insulation and sealing can reduce your yearly energy bill by up to 10% and cut your heating and cooling costs by up to 20%.
Weatherstripping is an inexpensive material that reduces drafts and keeps your house comfortable all year. Inspect weatherstripping every season as it might degrade with time.
Fall maintenance tips: Try shutting doors or windows on a piece of paper to see if weatherstripping stops the draft — if the paper slides out of the doorframe easily the weatherstripping isn’t working as well as it should. You could also place a lit candle next to the frame — if the flame flickers you have a draft coming in.
4. Check the furnace.
Have a professional inspect your heating system at least once a year. Consider scheduling this in advance to ensure availability but before the busy heating season. The following are warning signs that an examination is needed:
- Noise: unusual screeches or whines may indicate that the blower motor's belts are worn or broken.
- Low performance: if the heating system doesn't function well, it may indicate an issue like blocked heating ducts, burners need to be changed, or blower motor replacement. But first, check to see if your furnace's filter is clean.
- Incorrect temperature settings: the thermostat may be broken if the temperature it is set to does not match the temperature of the room
