Gutter check: Prep your home for fall and beyond
With fall come the usual staples: pumpkin spice lattes, corn mazes, festivals and apple cider. And if you’re a homeowner, it’s also a good time of year to tackle the items on your home maintenance checklist to ensure your home stays in tiptop shape through the rest of the year.
Here’s a handy home maintenance checklist for fall and winter:
Fall
Drain sprinkler systems and other outdoor water sources and cover outdoor pipes to prevent freezing.
Mow and rake your lawn, and winterize your garden. Bring plants in during cold spells to prevent frost damage.
Rake leaves and aerate your lawn. At the end of the season (and before snow falls), clean the gutters.
Clean the interior of major kitchen appliances before the holidays.
Drain, clean and cover your swimming pool if you live in a colder climate.
Empty gas-powered lawn equipment of fuel to avoid damage.
Hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean flues and vents.
Recaulk/seal around doors and windows to keep cold air out.
Protect your air-conditioning unit with a waterproof cover.
Clean lint buildup from the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer to prevent fires.
Winter
Inspect the roof, gutters and downspouts for damage or debris after snow storms.
Check the basement for water leaks during thaws.
Clean refrigerator and freezer drip pans, and vacuum the coils.
Ensure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections and that any exterior decorations are labeled for outdoor use only.
Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter of buildup. You’ll be using your stove and oven a lot more during the holidays.
Check your water heater for leaks and pressure issues. Consider installing a leak detector to prevent costly flooding damage.
Other timely tasks
Getting a furnace/heating tune-up: A heating system needs to be serviced once a year, typically at the start of the heating season. A qualified professional will change the filters and check for dangerous carbon monoxide leaks to keep it running at top shape, says Dan DiClerico, home expert at HomeAdvisor, a platform that matches service professionals with homeowners. Cost: $285.
Eliminating ice dams: Ice dams can cause serious roof damage, as the water works its way under the roof shingles and into soffit vents. Inadequate attic insulation is usually the culprit, allowing heated air to warm a roof and melt snow. With the spring thaw, the chance of serious leaks inside the house goes way up, DiClerico says. Cost: $1,500 for full attic insulation, or a few hundred dollars to fill in minimal spots.
Cleaning the gutters and downspouts: Gutters and downspouts clogged with leaves and other debris can cause the rainwater to overflow — and that can lead to costly repairs. Regularly cleaning gutters can prevent water damage, DiClerico says. Ideally, you should clean the gutters and downspouts in the fall and spring, and check them monthly. Cost: $150 for professional gutter cleaning.
Dehumidifying your home: Keeping your home’s humidity to 30% to 50% consistently can keep the growth of moistureloving dust mites and mold at bay. “A dehumidifier is the quickest defense, especially if you have a damp basement, which can harbor a lot of allergens,” DiClerico says. Cost: $1,300 to $2,800 to install a dehumidifier. Basement models average between $1,300 and $1,800, while crawl space units cost $1,500 to $2,000. Whole-house versions range from about $1,500 to $2,800.