Your Fall Checklist | Monday Minute

As we head into the fall, the weather and leaves are starting to change.  And whether you are a new homeowner or a seasoned one, there is crucial prep work to do, besides stocking up on pumpkin spice coffee.Leaf management.  With fall comes leaves.  And depending on where you live, possibly lots of them.  The first will be cleaning out your gutters and downspouts to prevent damage or flooding.  And secondly, is raking up leaves off the lawn to allow for proper growth.Fertilize your lawn.  And speaking of proper growth, fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn to prevent winter damage and helping it turn green faster in the spring.Change filters.  Now, most filters should be changed at least every 90 days (or more often if recommended by manufacturer), however for those systems with non disposable filters, now is a great time to clean those out and replace the disposable filters.  This will help keep your home at the right temperature and save on your heating bills.Service your HVAC system.  In addition to cleaning out and replacing filters, its often recommended to have an HVAC tech come out each fall and spring to service your unit.  This will help lengthen the life of your HVAC and ensure that you get the most optimum temperature control. Exterior repairs.  Whether it be damage on the roof or siding, gaps that need to be filled, or siding or trim that needs painted.  Now is a great time to take care of these issues.  Additionally, addressing any cracks in walkways or driveways can help protect against further damage from ice.Shut off exterior faucets.  You don’t want to deal with a burst pipe, so make sure to go around the house and shut off all faucets or spigots before winter comes.Clean out the chimney.  If you like the ambiance of your fireplace during the winter, its important to schedule a cleaning and inspection of your chimney.  If you use your fireplace a lot, the amount of buildup that can occur can be dangerous if not addressed.  If you haven’t scheduled a cleaning in a while, now is definitely the time to do so.A little bit of preparation will go a long way in extending the life of your home and will give your home the best protection before the cold weather hits.If you have any questions about homeownership, give us a call.  We look forward to hearing from you!