Fall Home Maintenance Tips to Help You Prepare

Fall is fully here, and with it, the days get shorter, the wind gets chillier, and the leaves pile up around your home (and in your gutters). For Triad homeowners who live in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, or High Point, NC, it’s important to stay on top of your fall home maintenance so you prevent costly winter damage later on.

But if you’re a new homeowner, this is your first autumn in the Triad area, or you want to avoid mistakes from last year, you may not know all that needs to be done to prepare your home. Read on for a comprehensive fall home maintenance checklist that’ll keep your home comfortable and looking great throughout the season and beyond.

Check your roof (and gutters) for fall home prep

It’s time to break out your ladder and climb up to your roof. Ideally, you should inspect your roof twice per year for damage to shingles and sticks weighing it down. Clear off any debris you see with a broom and brush – and if you see broken shingles, it’s time to order a roof repair.

Don’t forget to examine your gutters and downspouts, as well. Gutters can be susceptible to ice dams and other blockages that can weigh them down, cause water to overflow and soak into the soil near your home’s foundation, and lead to other problems. Functional gutters are crucial for a happy, safe home in the fall and winter, so don’t skip this step and consider investing in gutter guards to prevent most big leaves, twigs, and other debris from getting inside.

Trim trees and shrubs

Most of the above-mentioned debris is liable to come from trees hanging over your roof. Trim the branches yourself or hire an arborist to do it for you. Similarly, fall is a prime time to trim shrubs or hedges around your property so they grow back quickly in spring.

Inspect your heating system

Odds are you’ll be using your home’s heating system more frequently in the winter months to come, so order a professional inspection to make sure it’s all shipshape. If your HVAC system is dusty or rattling (yikes!), it’s often better to have a contractor make repairs now instead of later, when the damage could be a lot worse. Plus, cleaning out your heating system will do wonders if you or your family members have indoor allergies.

Clean the furnace and swap out the furnace filter

Before winter arrives and you start turning up the thermostat every day, get your home ready by taking a look at the interior of your furnace. Depending on what your inspection reveals, you might need to clean it out and swap out your old furnace filter for a new one. Furnace filters, in fact, should be replaced a few times a year to improve air quality within your home. No one likes to inhale dust and debris, after all.

Replace the batteries on your smoke detector

The more you use your heating system and/or furnace, the more important your smoke detector is. If you haven’t replaced the batteries of your smoke detector in a while, switch them out now to ensure that this vital piece of technology will always alert you to smoke. We also recommend that you buy and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. Then, you'll have plenty of time to find the source of the invisible hazard and open up the windows for ventilation.

Seal leaky windows and doors

That said, you don't want your windows and entry doors to let warm air out most of the time. So, if you notice any drafty windows or gaps in your front door, seal them up with weatherstripping or a caulking gun. Either DIY method should get the job done for the majority of drafts, all for just a few bucks.

Install new replacement windows where needed

What if a few windows are so old or warped that they're impossible to seal? Sounds like it's time for energy-efficient window replacements.

In the long run, this could be a bigger boon for your home than you think. Energy- efficient windows will save you money and add curb appeal/resale value to your property. Plus, energy-efficient windows are better at keeping warm air in or outside your home depending on the season, thanks to their dual or triple-pane construction and gas-filled glass layers.

There are energy-efficient windows for your home, no matter its style or aesthetic. For example, Window World of the Triad's double-hung windows are stellar replacements for classic windows throughout the home.

Program your thermostat to prep your home for fall

Your thermostat plays an important role in keeping your home warm and cozy throughout fall and winter. We recommend making sure it's working properly and programming it ahead of time to minimize energy waste.

Don't just take our word for it! The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to cooler temperatures whenever you are on vacation or sleeping. Then, turn the temperature up a few degrees when you’re awake and home. This simple trick will save you money and do your part for the environment at the same time; what’s not to like?

Drain your water heater

The last thing you want on a chilly fall or winter morning is to step into a cold shower because your water heater isn't working! So, it's wise to drain your water heater as a standard part of your fall maintenance checklist.

When you drain your water heater, you get rid of sediment and debris that can clog up the heater pipes and stop the entire system from running properly. Most water heaters can be drained by yourself easily enough, although some may require the help of a professional.

Turn off exterior water faucets

Prepping your home for fall and winter means taking steps to ensure your pipes don't freeze and burst. Exterior pipes are particularly susceptible to this damage, so drain and disconnect any garden hoses around your Triad property, then shut off the faucets using your home’s water shut-off valve.

Don’t forget to turn on the exterior faucets and let any remaining water still inside the pipes fall out. This simple step could save you a big headache come spring.

Order a chimney inspection

Thinking of warm, toasty fires on cold evenings? Before you begin using your fireplace, contact a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean both the fireplace and chimney. It'll ensure that your chimney and flue don't have blockages (and minimize health hazards – always a good thing!).

With the tips above, your home will be more than ready for whatever autumn can throw at it. But while you can tackle lots of these maintenance tasks yourself, some upgrades – like replacing drafty windows with new ones – are best accomplished with help.

That's where we come in. Window World of the Triad is just who you should contact if your home has a window or two that ought to be replaced instead of maintained. Our showroom experts can point you toward the perfect windows for your home’s aesthetic and your budget. Contact us today to get started!