Fall Home Maintenance Tips

With winter just around the corner, fall is the time to get to those home maintenance chores that you put off all summer. The moderate temperatures of fall make it a good time to get chores done without sweltering in summer's heat. And while there are almost certainly dozens of things to be done, it's wise to place the most important maintenance chores at the top of your to do list.

Heating system: Have your heating system cleaned and checked by a professional. Clean ducts and registers. Change filter and have spares on hand. Set a date to change the filter monthly. If your heat source is wood, clean the chimney or hire a professional. You should have a supply of firewood by this time.

Windows: Remove screens and clean windows. Install storm windows. Check around windows for cracked caulking and repair as needed.

Gutters: Clean gutters and downspouts. Be sure downspouts are free of debris and that water flows away from the foundation.

Doors: Check weather stripping around exterior doors and replace as needed.

Foundation: Walk around the house and check for cracks. Fill any you find. Your local home improvement store can guide you on fillers.

Window wells: Clean debris from wells and check for leaks around windows. Caulk, if needed. Consider covers for window wells to keep water and debris from collecting in the well.

Roof: Check for loose or missing shingles. If climbing a ladder is not for you, use binoculars to examine the roof. Don't forget the garage roof. Repair any damage before winter.

Decks and porches: Remove leaves and any debris underneath. Clean and treat wood surfaces.

Trees and shrubs: Trim any branches that crowd the house walls and air conditioning unit or overhang the roof. Remove dead branches from trees.

Lawn and garden: Rake leaves and cover shrubs that need protection from winter weather. Plant fall bulbs and perennials now to allow them time to take root before the spring growing season. This is also the time to divide or move perennials. Clean garden tools before storing for the winter. Turn off outside water faucets and disconnect hoses. Cover or store lawn furniture.

Interior painting: Fall is the last chance to leave the windows open while painting inside the house. If anyone in the household is bothered by paint fumes, now is the time to get it done.

Plan ahead: Find the snow shovel and put it where it will be needed for the first snow fall. If you use a snow blower, change the air filter and be sure you have the right fuel on hand.

Safety first: Dark comes earlier in winter so check outside lighting and change bulbs where needed. Daylight Savings Time is the time to change the batteries in all the smoke alarms in the house. If you don't have a carbon monoxide detector, consider getting one.

Use a calendar with large spaces to keep track of your fall maintenance projects. Note what you've done and what still needs to be done. A thin book type calendar is handy and takes up little room if you keep records from year to year.