Prep the Outside of Your Home for the Fall Season

As the season begins to change, it's time to prep your home for falling leaves, cooler weather, and, eventually, winter storms.  Tackling a few fall home maintenance tasks now can help ward off issues later in the season, so you can enjoy everything you love about autumn worry-free.  Most of the tasks listed below are well within the average homeowner's ability.  But even if you'd rather hire a professional to handle them, it can be well worth the expense.  You'll save money in the long run by preventing costly (and potentially dangerous) damage to your home.  Follow this fall maintenance checklist and learn essential tips for cleaning gutters, roofs, fireplaces, and more.

• Clean your Gutters - Your roof's drainage system annually diverts thousands of gallons of water from your house's exterior and foundation walls, so it's vital to keep this system flowing smoothly.  Clogged gutters can lead to damaged exterior surfaces and water in your basement.  They are also more prone to rust and corrosion. Before the leaves fly this fall, make sure to clean your gutters.
• Seal up Air Leaks - A home with air leaks around windows and doors is like a coat left unbuttoned.  Gaps in caulk and weatherstripping let cold air into your warm home, and sealing up a drafty house can save up to 20% on your heating bills, according to te U.S. Deaprtment of Energy. Weatherstripping is easily the most cost-effective way to rein in heating and cooling costs.  This humble material also reduces drafts and keeps your home more comfortable year-round.  Because weatherstripping can deteriorate over time, it is important to inspect it periodically.  In addition to inspecting weatherstripping, check for missing or damaged caulk around windows, doors, and entry points for electrical, cable, phone, and gas. Seal any gaps with a suitable caulk. 
• Inspect Your Roof - Few homeowner problems are more vexing than a leaky roof.  Once the dripping starts, finding the source of the problem can be time-consuming.  Stop problems this fall before ice and winter winds turn them from annoyances into disasters.  Start by inspecting your roof from top to bottom. Check ridge shingles for cracks and wind damage. Look for damage to metal flashing in valleys and around vents and chimneys. Scan the entire roof for missing, curled, or damaged shingles. Look in your gutters for large accumulations of granules, a sign that your roof is losing its coating, which can portend larger problems. Finally, make sure your gutters are flowing freely.

• Protect Faucets from Freezing Temperatures - If you live in an area with freezing weather, take steps to ensure that outside faucets and in-ground irrigation systems don't freeze and burst.  First, close any shut-off valves serving outside faucets, then open the outside faucet to drain the line. (There may be a small cap on the faucet you can loosen to facilitate this draining.) To freezeproof an in-ground irrigation system, follow the manufacturer's procedure for draining it and protecting it from winter damage.
• Freshen Your Furnace Filter - Furnace filters trap dust that would otherwise be distributed throughout your home.  Clogged filters make it harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, thus increasing your utility bills.  Simple monthly cleaning is all it takes to keep these filters free of debris.  
• Give Your Heating System a Checkup - Once a year, it's a good idea to have your heating system inspected by a professional. To avoid the last-minute rush, consider scheduling this task in early fall before the heating season begins.
• Ready Your Fireplace - Even if you use your fireplace only occasionally, you should check it annually for damage and hazards.  First, inspect the flue for creosote, a flammable by-product of burning wood.  Too much accumulation in a flue or chimney can result in a devastating fire.  Get your chimney inspected annually for creosote buildup.  If you use a fireplace or wood stove frequently, have the flue inspected after each cord of wood burned.  Additionally, check your chimney for damage or flue blockages.  Ensure the flue cap (the screen or baffle covering the top of the chimney) is in place.  Birds often nest at the top of unprotected flues; a chimney cap can prevent this from happening.  If you don't have a cap, look up the flue to ensure that there are no obstructions.  Inspect brick chimneys for loose or broken joints.  Inside, exercise the damper, which is the metal plate that opens and closes the flue just above the firebox.  Move it to the open and closed positions to ensure that it is working properly.   For most people, the best option is to have your entire chimney system inspected by a chimney sweep.
• Keep the Humidifier Humming - Dry winter air can be tough on your skin and airways, but did you know it can also make fine wood more prone to cracking?  You and your home will feel more comfortable if you keep your central humidifier in tip-top shape during the months it is running.  First, inspect the plates or pads and if necessary, clean them in a strong laundry detergent solution.  Rinse and scrape off mineral deposits with a wire brush or steel wool.

• Ward Off Gas Problems - Keeping a gas heater in good shape is both a safety and a cost issue.  An improperly maintained heater can spew toxic gases into the air of your home, or it could simply be costing you more to operate.  Have a professional check these devices annually.  Follow the manufacturer's advice for any needed maintenance.
• Keep Wood Fires Burning Brightly - Wood-burning stoves add cozy ambiance and warmth to your home, but regular inspections are needed to ensure that these devices don't become a safety hazard. 
• Repair Walkways - Damaged walkways, drives, and steps are a hazard year-round, but their dangers are compounded when the weather turns icy. Fixing issues in the fall is also critical to preventing little cracks from becoming expensive headaches. Look for cracks more than 1/8-inch wide, uneven sections, and loose railings on steps. Check for disintegration of asphalt or washed-out materials on loose-fill paths. 

• Review Safety Features - At least once a year, do a top-to-bottom review of your home's safety features. This is also a good time to get the family together for a review of your fire evacuation plan. Use these steps to complete a home safety check:
  • Replace the batteries in each smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
  • Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher rated for all fire types (look for an A-B-C rating on the label).  At a minimum, keep one near the kitchen; having one per floor isn't a bad idea.  Annually, check the indicator on the pressure gauge to make sure the extinguisher is charged.  Make certain that the lock pin is intact and firmly in place, and check that the discharge nozzle is not clogged.  Clean the extinguisher and check it for dents, scratches, and corrosion. Replace if the damage seems severe. Note: Fire extinguishers that are more than six years old should be replaced. Mark the date of purchase on the new unit with a permanent marker.
  • Every bedroom, including basement bedrooms, should have two exit paths.  Make sure windows aren't blocked by furniture or other items.  Ideally, each upper-floor bedroom should have a rope ladder near the window for emergency exits.  Review what to do in case of fire and arrange a safe meeting place for everyone away from the house.
  • Rid your home of accumulations of old newspapers and leftover hazardous household chemicals.  (Check with your state or local Environmental Protection Agency about the proper way to discard dangerous chemicals.)  Store flammable materials and poisons in approved, clearly labeled containers.  Keep a clear space around heaters, furnaces, and other heat-producing appliances.

• Prep Your Lawn for Winter - To ensure your lawn's health and beauty come spring, there are several important yard work projects to complete in the fall.  Raking leaves and aerating will prevent your lawn and garden beds from suffocating.  Fertilizing and winterizing grass, trees, and shrubs will allow your greenery to enter its winter slumber comfortably and properly nourished.  Professional lawn care services will make quick work of these projects, freeing up your time for family, friends, and football.
• Touch Up Exterior Paint - Fall offers plenty of days that are warm enough to work with exterior paint, and a touch-up can help prolong the life of your siding and trim.  A fresh coat of paint or sealer on any surface that potentially will be covered with snow, such as porch stairs or wood floors, also is a wise idea.  Sooner is better to contact a local painter or attempt the project yourself, as many paints aren't recommended for application on days when the temperature will dip colder than 45 to 50 degrees.
• Clean Your Carpets - Fall is an ideal time to clean your carpets. The humid days of summer have passed, but the below-freezing days of winter have yet to arrive. It's the best time to open windows for ventilation, which should speed the drying process.

"Fall: The season of cozy, delicious, wisdom-inducing rediscovery"

Article taken from https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/your-homes-fall-checklist/.