Fall Cleanup: 20 Tips For Fall Maintenance
It’s that time of year again — the leaves are changing, and winter is just around the corner. This means it’s time to start thinking about cleaning up your yard and preparing your home for cold weather.
Here is a fall checklist for 20 things you should do before winter sets.
1.) Rake The Leaves
Leaves are one of the worst things for your lawn because they can prevent water from reaching the soil and encourage pests like grubs to come out and make their home in your yard.
They also harbor bacteria that cause diseases in plants and people alike. So rake up those leaves before they have a chance to get out of control!
If you have a larger yard, consider mulching. Not only will this save your back and a great deal of time, but mulching is also great for your soil.
We have not touched a rake in 10 years and have over an acre of grass with tons of trees. Adding some good mulching blades and a mulching cover to your mower can do wonders for your lawn.
2.) Clean out Beds, Pots, and Containers
Remove spent plants or debris from planters and containers, including weeds that may have started to grow in the pots.
If you have potted herbs or vegetables, be sure to cut back on watering so they can dry out completely before winter.
3.) Mow Lawn One Last Time
Coming in at number three on the homeowner’s fall checklist is mowing the lawn. If you have a large lawn, try mowing it one more time before putting away tools for the season.
You’ll want to get rid of any dead grass that could potentially harbor pests or diseases in the spring when you start up again with mowing duties next year.
Drop the height of the deck to about 2” to reduce the chances of snow mold. Snow mold can be detrimental to a yard and create issues when Spring rolls around. This should naturally be up pretty high on anyone’s fall checklist.
4.) Clean Out Your Gutters
Your gutters should be cleaned at least once a year — twice if possible — but this is especially important if you live in an area where heavy rains are common during the fall season.
Clean up fallen leaves and debris. If you have any areas of your yard that are covered in leaves or other debris, you’ll want to get rid of them before the first frost hits.
If your gutters aren’t cleaned out regularly, they could fill up with debris and prevent rainwater from draining away from your home. This could lead to water seeping into the walls of your house, which can cause mold growth or other damage over time.
Having a leaky or flooded basement can be easily prevented by having the gutters cleaned out; don’t neglect this important task from your fall checklist.
5.) Check Exterior Window And Door Seals
Check exterior window and door seals. If you have any drafts coming through these areas, it could cost you money on your heating bill.
To check these areas, close all doors and windows in your home, then turn off all fans and heating systems except one vent in the room being tested.
This will prevent drafts from entering from other parts of the house while testing specific areas. Seal drafts with silicone caulk and weatherstripping.
6.) Bring In Furniture, Hoses, And Tools
Winter is not the best time to leave your furniture outside because it can become damaged by rain and snow. If you have patio furniture that needs to be stored for the season, bring it into your garage or basement.
Make sure to cover the furniture with a tarp or blanket so that it doesn’t get wet from any precipitation.
7.) Drain Outdoor Faucets
It’s important to drain outdoor faucets and spigots before the cold weather hits so that the water doesn’t freeze and cause damage to your piping. If you have a hose bib in an unheated area of your property, drain it now.
Make sure the valve is open completely in order to have the spigots completely drained. Having to fix a pipe when Springtime rolls around because of this simple mis step can be really annoying.
8.) Disconnect Garden Hoses and store them inside
This is sometimes overlooked but another task on the fall checklist is to disconnect garden hoses and store them in your shed or garage. Don’t leave them outside all winter long; they’ll freeze and crack.
Storing hoses inside can prolong the life expectancy of them too. Who wants to be buying new hoses?
9.) Cover Outdoor Pools
If you have an above-ground pool, cover it before the first frost hits. If you have a permanent pool, cover it when it’s not in use and keep it covered until spring.
Make sure your pool cover is in good shape and fits properly. If it’s more than five years old, consider replacing it with a new one.
10.) Seal deck cracks
Wood decks are susceptible to water damage due to cracks in their surface. These cracks allow moisture to seep into the wood and eventually cause rot or mold growth.
It’s important to seal deck boards with a product like Thompson’s WaterSeal before winter sets in so that you don’t have to worry about it next year.
11.) Inspect Your Roof And Siding
This one on the fall checklist should be very simple and only take a few moments. This could potentially save you thousands.
Check your roof shingles and siding for damage or signs of wear. Repair or replace any missing shingles.
Be on the lookout for any loose shingles or shingles lying on the ground surrounding the house. Another issue to look for is any curling of the shingles.
If you notice any problems, call a roofing contractor to fix them immediately — don’t wait until spring!
12.) Pressure Washing & Exterior Cleaning
Pressure wash the exterior of your house to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and stains from the accumulated grime. Leaving it untreated for too long can cause it to deteriorate and become unsightly.
We’re a full service pressure washing company and offer house washing, roof cleaning, deck cleaning, patio and driveway cleaning, fence cleaning, and exterior window cleaning.
With our low pressure soft washing methods, we can leave your siding looking brand new after we leave. Consider hiring us to make the process as easy as possible and to cross one more task from your fall checklist.
13.) Clean out the attic, basement, And The Garage
It’s time to get rid of all those old boxes you’ve been saving for “someday.” Those boxes that have never been unpacked from your last move? Toss them.
The random items from around the house that you’ve been meaning to organize? Don’t worry about it. Just get all those boxes out of sight and out of mind by donating or selling them on Craigslist or eBay.
14.) Clean Out Fireplaces
Cleaning out the fireplace is very important for anyone’s fall checklist. Accomplishing this will help prevent creosote build-up and improve airflow through flues and chimneys.
Creosote is a flammable substance produced by burning wood in an unvented or partially vented fireplace, stove or barbeque grill.
The buildup can also cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) to seep into living spaces. To remove creosote buildup from brick fireplaces, use a stiff bristle brush dipped in soapy water.
For metal chimneys, use baking soda and vinegar or a specialized creosote remover made specifically for chimney cleaning.
It’s never a bad idea to have a professional chimney come out and take a look at everything. They can provide a thorough sweeping and inspection.
If located in Ozaukee County, consider calling Chimney Concepts out of Port Washington. They’re highly rated and do an excellent job.
They’ll do everything mentioned above plus the next task on the list. Not only that but you don’t have to worry about getting messy.
15. Check the chimney for debris
The National Fire Protection Association recommends cleaning your chimney at least once a year (and every three to five years if you use it often). Using a brush and long-handled feather duster, sweep out any soot or debris that may have built up inside the flue.
For extra protection, consider using a chimney cap to prevent leaves and other debris from falling into the top of your chimney and causing a fire hazard.
16. Have an HVAC professional clean the air ducts in your home
Have an HVAC professional clean the air ducts in your home. This will help keep dust and dirt out of your system, which can improve its efficiency and longevity.
You can also have them inspect the system for any problems that may require repairs or replacement.
17. Change your furnace filter
If you have a forced-air heating system, this is an important step that should be done every month during the heating season. The filter keeps dust from circulating through the system and causing problems with efficiency and air quality.
Dirty filters can cause the furnace to use more energy and make your heating system less efficient. It’s a good idea to change your filter at least every three months during the heating season.
18. Check your dryer vent
Check and clean your dryer vent. If there’s an opening on your roof, you’ll need to check it periodically to make sure it’s not clogged by lint or other debris.
Cleaning it will allow air to flow freely through it, making drying clothes faster and increasing efficiency.
We wrote another article here where we discussed this really cool that works great at cleaning the vents out. It attaches to a drill and makes it a breeze.
If you do not feel like DIY’ing this task, feel free to give us a call as we offer this service as well.
19. Make sure your batteries are fresh
Test batteries in fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, flashlights, and other emergency equipment. Make sure they’re still working properly.
20. Check fuel tanks
Last but not least on the fall checklist deals with fuel tanks. If you use propane for heat, make sure tanks are full so you don’t run out of fuel at an inconvenient time of year, especially when temperatures fall below freezing at night and days are shorter than usual (when you may not be able to get outside).
A little advance prep can go a long way toward keeping you comfortable once winter sets in. It’s also a necessary step for ensuring that your property is protected over the holidays.
Well there you have it, the 20 biggest tasks to accomplish before winter sets in. Following this fall checklist will ensure everything is good to go when Spring time rolls around!
See Also:_________________________________________________________________
11 Steps We Take To Ensure Customer Satisfaction
Five Effective Ways To Maximize Your Home’s Value Before Selling