This Year’s Fall Checklist- Quick Homeowner Guide

As a homeowner, never underestimate the value of the time that you spend doing a little DIY for your home. Not only will you help to preserve and grow the asset value of your home by keeping it in great shape, you can often prevent some problems from happening at all.

You can also extend the life of some of your home’s important components, like plumbing and HVAC systems. As the seasons change here in St Michael, MN, it’s time to get your home ready this fall to endure the winter. Here are some items to include on your checklist.

Schedule Maintenance

A great habit to adopt as a homeowner is to get your furnace serviced before you need to turn it on for the season. This gives you the benefit of peace of mind, because any trouble that might be brewing in your system will be identified now, before it gets really cold outside.

Also, keeping your system well-tuned means that you will reduce your operating costs, as you’ve taken steps to make your system more energy efficient. During a tune-up, the technician typically cleans the parts and inspect for damage. They will also replace the filter, which will improve air quality and increase operational efficiency.

Indoor Maintenance Tips

Take a few minutes this fall to inspect your home for plumbing leaks. A lingering leak can cause a great deal of damage. Open cabinets under sinks for pooling water or mold. Check for leaks in faucets, shower-heads and toilets and fix as needed.

Inspect the hoses on your washing machine, ice maker on your fridge and dishwasher for signs of wear and tear. If you’ve got a fireplace, inspect your chimney for damage. Make sure that the damper closes tightly as this can be a costly source of heat loss during the winter months.

If you’ve got a gas fireplace, turn the pilot light on. Test smoke and CO2 detectors; make sure that you’ve got a working fire extinguisher on each floor (don’t forget to look at the expiry date!).

Outdoor Maintenance Tips

Tree branches that hang too close to your home can cause damage during a winter storm. Trim them back. Wrap any bushes or plants that will suffer from the frost.

Inspect your walkways and porches for damage. Make sure that they are even and that railings are sturdy. Any uneven ground will be even more hazardous once it is covered in snow.

Check out windows to make sure that they are airtight. Install weather-stripping under doorways to prevent heat loss during the winter.