A little bit of maintenance will go a long way in keeping your home trouble free, energy efficient and safe. Here are 20 homeowner maintenance tips to get your house ready for holiday gatherings and hibernating in the chillier months ahead.
- Replace furnace filters once a month or per manufacturers recommendations.
- Set ceiling fan to clockwise direction to pull cooler air upward.
- Fertilize and re-seed yard or bare spots in your yard.
- Clean gutters, possibly several times as debris adds up.
- Check wood burning stove pipes and fireplace chimney and clean if necessary.
- Have gas supplier check and clean gas appliances.
- Change batteries in smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors.
- Have your heating and air conditioning system serviced.
- Clean dryer ducts and vents.
- Seal gaps in exterior building envelope to minimize heat loss and block critter access.
- Test leaf-blower and generator.
- Make time for leaf clean up, or hire a local lawn maintenance company.
- Stock firewood.
- Stock up on winter supplies: snow shovels, sand/ice melt and test snow blower.
- Fix cracks in driveway, walkways, and patios.
- Turn off and drain outdoor faucets.
- Drain and store water hoses.
- Bring in outdoor furniture.
- Check outdoor lighting.
- Upgrade attic insulation, if it has not yet been done.
Interested in making more significant improvements to your living spaces to enjoy the cooler months ahead indoors? See our article, 6 Home Renovation Projects to Start in the Fall.
