Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

I arrived back from vacation this past week from 90-degree Carolina sunshiny weather--and upon my return to New Jersey, I was greeted with some unseasonably low temperatures and I felt as though I had literally left summer on the beach of the Outer Banks, NC. and returned home to fall.

Summer is my favorite season, so I was a bit depressed--but it is September after all--September already?! Yup. And fall really is just around the corner. So I guess this is just as good a time as ever to get prepped for fall maintenance around the house. Below, please enjoy the autumn portion of the U.S. Inspect Seasonal Maintenance Series.

A home care checklist for the fall season:

Exterior: Check foundation walls, steps, retaining walls, walks, patios, driveways and garage floors for cracks, heaving and crumbling.

Heating & Cooling: Service oil burning equipment and heat pump annually. Service gas burning equipment every other year.

Interiors: Check underside of roof for water stains, leaks, dampness and condensation.

Plumbing: Have septic tank professionally drained and cleaned every two years.

Doors & Windows: Check all weather stripping.

Exterior: Clean gutters, leaders, strainers, window wells and drains. Be sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.

Roof: Check vents, louvers and chimneys for birds nest, squirrels or insects.

Doors & Windows: Check glazing putty on windows and check caulking for decay around doors, windows, corner boards and joints.

Plumbing: Drain exterior water lines, hose bibs, sprinklers and pool equipment. Check insulation wrapping on all water lines and drains exposed to weather.

-----
The Complete Seasonal Home Maintenance Series
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist