Fall Home Checklist: 12 Tasks to Do Now

It’s another time of the year to do some important property maintenance to ensure the longevity, function and safety of your home. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions!

1. Switch your ceiling fans’ direction

Make use of that warm air in your home. As heat rises, push it back down by switching your ceiling fans to clockwise. This moves the air down and around, and will help with your heating bill. Not sure where the switch is? Here’s the usual spot:

2. Insulate your hose bibs before upcoming freezing temperatures

As I’m writing this, I can see a low of 32 degrees next week, so don’t let a quick freeze catch you off guard. If it’s close to freezing temperature, don’t risk it – cover your hose bibs with insulation covers. Even if you have non-freeze hose bibs, make sure you detach your hose and empty the water out of it.

3. Inspect/change furnace filters

This may seem common for most homeowners, but I’ve seen my share of delayed maintenance and some dirty, dirty filters. It’s very easy to replace so you can enjoy your cleaner air!

4. Drain your A/C units’s water

Whether it's a portable or permanent unit, double-check your manufacturer’s instructions on draining the water accumulation in your unit so it can spend the winter staying dry.

5. Donate some summer clothes!

Now that the hot, sunny days are behind us, take a look at your wardrobe and see if there’s anything you haven’t worn for the last year (or years). Find a local Goodwill and feel good about opening up your closet.

6. Seal skylights, doors, windows, etc

I just did this on my 3 skylights. After some stink bugs made their way inside from them, we pulled them off to find massive gaps that were leaking warm air and letting insects in. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on how to do it. Our home is much more insulated and [mostly] bug free now.

7. Divert water away from your home from gutter flow

Gutters working fine? Downspouts working fine? Well, you may still be putting a lot of moisture in your foundation. Make sure you have gutter downspout extensions to push the water further away from the home, especially in the rainy months. A few feet makes a lot of difference.

8. Close, then open main water valve

This seems too simple, but sometimes water valves can get “sticky” with erosion or no movement after years. This takes a few seconds to close and open the valve to ensure it’s working fine and gets it moving. You don’t want a faulty main water valve if you need to cut off the water in an emergency.

9. Carefully turn your fire extinguisher upside down – or replace it

Another interesting tip – fire extinguishers can “settle” at the bottom, making them less efficient. Give it a careful hand-stand to make sure it mixes. Also check your extinguisher’s expiration date to make sure yours isn’t expired. Don’t have a fire extinguisher? Get one!

10. Cut the plants & foliage near or touching your home

Moisture, insects, and rodents love using these as highways to your home. Do a quick walk around your home to ensure there is a few feet of space between the two. I’ve seen homes where rats can jump a few feet from a tree onto the roof to set up camp in your attic.

11. Get the moss off the roof

We all know it’s going to keep raining, but that shouldn’t stop you from halting the moss on your roof before it spreads more and damages your roof. It can raise your shingles and allow moisture and deterioration. Want to know my secret? Baking soda! Head to Costco and buy a few heavy bags, then wait for a dry day to get someone up there to cover your ridges and moss with that magical powder. Your roof will thank you in 1,5,10,20 years, etc.

12.  Fall fertilizer before lawn goes dormant

One of the most important things you can do to your lawn is put fall fertilizer on before the weather gets too cold and your grass goes dormant. These nutrients boost your grass’ health and you’ll see a difference in the Springtime as it comes back stronger. Make sure you use a spreader – concentrated amounts can hurt your lawn (I’ve seen it too many times).The typical “weed and feed” is a different product as it only works in warmer weather. 

In Conclusion

Please remember that there may be other important tasks outside of this list, so always double-check your property and let me know if you have any questions. Whether it’s home maintenance, searches, or updates on the housing market – never hesitate to reach out with any questions or for desired information.

- Jansen Braaten

Real Estate Broker

20.910.0697 – jansen@braatenrealestate.com

Braaten Real Estate – Up Realty Inc.