Many “fall” tasks are done more easily when the weather is still nice, and according to Leah Ingram, an author for “Living on the Cheap” and frugal living expert, taking care of routine maintenance tasks now can save you aggravation and money down the road. “If you don’t do these things and you end up having to do repairs, it can cost so much more later,” says Leah.
1) Clean gutters and downspouts.
Leaves and debris gather in gutters, which can cause ice dams and other water damage when snow falls and then melts, or during rainstorms. This is an easy task to do yourself if you can climb a ladder safely.
2) To rake or not to rake?
If you can chop the leaves into smaller pieces while mowing, they can be beneficial for your lawn, experts say. But if it looks like your lawn is being smothered, the leaves won’t help provide fertilizer.
3) Repair any damage to your roof.
Anywhere you had shingle damage, that needs to be fixed and replaced. If water can get under your shingles, it can get into your home and cause damage.
4) Clean your chimney.
Have a chimney sweep come in every year to check your fireplace for safety and clean out the remains of last year’s fires. You also want to make sure that the cover to your chimney is intact and that birds or other critters haven’t chosen to move in.
5) Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
It’s smart to test the devices and replace the batteries every six months, making this a chore for fall and spring. Also, make sure you have enough fire extinguishers and that they are in the right place.
6) Change filters in heating and air conditioning units.
Most forced-air systems work better when the filters are clean. While some filters are advertised to last several months, people with pets or old houses with a lot of dust should change filters monthly.
7) Caulk around the windows.
Caulking wears out after a few years and may allow cold air to enter your house. Caulking is a chore many homeowners can do themselves for less than $20.
8) Repair, add or replace weatherstripping.
Good weatherstripping on exterior doors can save energy and help you feel more comfortable in winter. If you can see light from the outside coming in around your doors, it’s time for repairs.
9) Wrap exposed pipes.
Pipes in exterior walls or outside can easily freeze during the winter, and wrapping them makes that less likely. This should even be done in areas where freezing is rare, but possible.
10) Shut down and drain sprinkler systems.
Turn off and drain exterior spigots, plus drain and bring in hoses.
11) Aerate your lawn.
Aerating is best done when the lawn is wet & helps it grow back next season.
12) Trim trees.
Proper trimming keeps trees healthy, and you should hire someone for the job who knows what he or she is doing. In cold climates, you want to keep weak branches that may become weighed down with snow from falling on your house or car. In warmer climates, you want to avoid wind damage.
13) Change the direction of ceiling fans.
Fans are set to run counterclockwise in summer, which creates a cool breeze under the fan. But they should run clockwise in winter to bring down the warm air on the ceiling.
14) Inventory your snow equipment.
Make sure your shovels are in good repair, your snow blower is tuned up, and you have sand and salt on hand.
15) Clean and put away your summer equipment.
Now that the warm weather is gone, there’s no need for your lawn furniture, barbecue grill and water toys. Cleaning and storing it now just makes your springtime so much easier.
