Fall is here! Are you prepared?

Fall home maintenance, however dreaded, is already here! Here is a checklist to help you get started and make sure you've crossed everything off your list.

Roof Maintenance:

Clean and inspect your gutters and downspouts frequently for proper drainage

Inspect your roof for damage, including lifted or missing shingles

Check for moss and apply treatment 

Check eaves and gables for holes and install screens to prevent animals and pests from entering

In Your Garden:

Rake leaves - leaving them can inhibit spring growth 

Aerate and fertilize your lawn so it's lush in the spring

Cut back perennial plants, mulch their base

Shut off outside water and store your hoses (coiled and flat)

Drain and turn off the sprinkler system

Clean, maintenance, and store your lawn mower and other yard tools

Home Exterior: 

Check windows and doors for weather tightness, seal cracks and install weatherstripping where necessary

Check attic and crawl spaces for signs or moisture and rodents

Store outdoors furniture/cushions

Finish any outside projects such as painting, caulking, or staining 

Inside Your Home:

Have your furnace professionally inspected and serviced

Change furnace filter for safety and air quality 

Clean your dryer vents as buildup can lead to fires

Clean out kitchen cabinets and the pantry, removing outdated foods

Test smoke and carbon dioxide monitors/ change batteries

If you haven't, check your home for radon

Remember to "fall back" your clocks on Sunday, November 4

Insure your fire extinguisher is in working order 

If needed, set rodent and pest traps