How To Prepare Your Home For Fall.

Later this month, Fall will officially begin. As much as we love an Ohio Summer, there may be nothing better than an Ohio Fall.

Here in Northeast Ohio, we’re lucky to experience some incredible Fall foliage. Add in local pumpkin patches, Fall festivals, football games, and crisp evenings, and it’s easy to see why Fall is one of our favorite seasons.

But with all the perks of Fall comes a little extra responsibility for homeowners.

As the weather changes, so does your home maintenance checklist. Preparing your home for Fall can help prevent bigger, more expensive problems once the temperatures drop. And with the unpredictable Ohio weather we all know too well, it’s always better to be prepared.

Here are a few things to add to your Fall home maintenance checklist.

Exterior Fall Home Maintenance

Before the temperatures start to drop, take some time to get the outside of your home ready for Fall and Winter.

Trim trees and remove dead limbs.
Take a look at the trees around your property and remove any dead or dying branches. This can help prevent damage during strong winds, snow, and ice.

Winterize your sprinkler system and pool.
If you have an irrigation system or pool, now is the time to begin the winterization process. 

Clean your gutters and downspouts.
Falling leaves can quickly clog gutters and downspouts. Clean them out and make sure water can flow freely away from your home.

Disconnect and store outdoor hoses.
Turn off your outdoor water supply, disconnect your garden hoses, and store them indoors. This can help protect your outdoor plumbing from freezing temperatures.

Check your roof.
Inspect your roof for loose or missing shingles and look for separated or damaged flashing. Addressing small issues now can help prevent water from getting into your home when the weather turns colder.

Interior Fall Home Maintenance

Once the outside of your home is ready, don’t forget about what’s happening inside.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Check all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly. Replace batteries as needed and consider replacing older units according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Change your air filters.
Your heating system is about to get a lot more use. Replacing your HVAC air filters can help your system run efficiently and keep your indoor air cleaner.

Check your weatherstripping.
Inspect the weatherstripping around your doors and windows for gaps, cracks, or damage. 

Insulate exposed water pipes.
If you have exposed pipes in an unheated basement, crawl space, or other cold area, make sure they are properly insulated.

Consider a humidifier.
Cold weather can mean dry indoor air. A whole-home or portable humidifier can help add moisture to your home during the drier Fall and Winter months.

Fall is a beautiful time to be a homeowner in Northeast Ohio, but a little preparation now can go a long way toward protecting your home throughout the colder months.

Want a Fall Home Maintenance Checklist to keep handy? Click Here to get yours!