Your home is an investment, and it’s likely where you spend most of your time. It pays to spend a little time and energy on maintenance to make sure it’s in tip-top shape and still a place you want to call home. Some maintenance happens in every season, like checking windows and doors. Other maintenance, particularly preparation, is particular for the season. As summer fades into fall, it’s a good idea to do a round of fall home maintenance.

Preparing your home for fall has its own set of maintenance tasks. The beautiful months of autumn bring a spectacular show of colors when the leaves dress up in brilliant yellow, orange, and red. As nature prepares itself for the cooler weather ahead, you should also think about how to maintain and protect your home from the elements.

11 Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Here are some fall home maintenance tips on how you can keep your home in top condition through the autumn and winter months:

1. Clean Out Your Gutters

Fall leaves are beautiful, but they can also clog downspouts and gutters. Cleaning out your gutters is a messy chore, but it must be done. Scoop out the debris, and flush out the gutter with water.

Inspect the gutter for any damage. If you see any damage, like cracks, water damage, sagging gutters, etc., these are often signs it’s time to replace your gutters. It’s a good idea to have someone come out and take a look to see what needs to be done and get the process started on new gutters if you need them.

In addition, if you hate cleaning out your gutters and you want to avoid this messy job in the future, you can look into gutter guards. Gutter guards prevent leaves and other debris from falling into your gutters all year round, reducing the need for maintenance.

2. Check Your Windows

Gaps and cracks around a window can cause your house to lose cooling in the summer and lose heat in the winter. Water can also get in and damage the structure. This is why checking your windows is one of the summer home maintenance tips and is important year-round.

If needed, you can apply caulk around your windows to seal them. However, if you see damage, if the window is difficult to use, or if anything is broken, you likely need new ones. These are all reasons to replace your windows.

Check out the video below to watch Zephyr Thomas installing a full house of replacement windows for this homeowner!

3. Weatherstrip Your Garage Door

Gaps in between your garage door and siding can allow debris and small animals to sneak in. Apply weatherstrip around the door to keep out drafts and little critters. If the gap is too big, you see other damage, or your garage door is over 30 years old, these can be signs it’s time to replace your garage door and you likely need a new one.

4. Check Your Roof

Roof leaks can cause irreparable damage to your house and personal property. Check your roof for any damage like loose or cracked shingles. Depending on the extent of the damage, the age of your roof, and more, it may be time for a new roof. These things can be signs your roof needs to be replaced.

If you need help, we can come out to inspect your roof. We offer outstanding solutions for roof repair and roof replacement that homeowners in Lancaster will appreciate, and we can recommend the most appropriate option for your needs.

Take a look at the video below to see the Zephyr Thomas team replacing this homeowner’s roof!

5. Check and Clean Your Fireplace

The heating elements in your fireplace should be checked to make sure that they are in good working order. The chimney should be cleaned. This is essential for efficiency and safety. If you suspect any damage, we can do an inspection and fix anything that requires repair.

6. Have Your Central Heating System Inspected

A heating system in good running order will use energy more efficiently. That minimizes your energy bill and extends the life of your heating unit. Get your heating system inspected before temperatures drop to ensure everything is in working order. This is one of the tips to make your home more energy efficient and it can make a big difference during the seasons where your heating and cooling systems work the hardest.

7. Check the Exterior For Peeling Paint

Paint that is peeling cannot protect your home’s exterior, which can result in faster deterioration of the structure. Peeling paint, especially around gutters, can also be a sign of water damage. If you notice any paint damage, it’s important to get things checked out to ensure you are not dealing with any leaks anywhere. And, if you’re tired of the maintenance that comes with paint, you can consider having new, virtually maintenance-free vinyl siding installed so you never have to paint again!

Check out the video below to see the Zephyr Thomas team replacing old wood siding with new vinyl siding for this Manheim homeowner!

8. Prep Your Outdoor Living Space

Fall and winter can wreak havoc on exposed outdoor living spaces. Take the time to look over any outdoor spaces you have and prep them for the incoming change of seasons. Clean your porch or deck.

Check for any repairs that need to be done because wet weather will worsen the damage. Cover any outdoor furniture that you will not be using. If you see any damage or other signs it’s time to replace your deck or patio, contact us at 717-399-4708. We can help you restore or upgrade your patio or replace your deck if needed.

Check out the time-lapse video below to watch the Zephyr Thomas team build a deck for this homeowner!

9. Prepare Exterior Water Pipes

The last thing you want is a pipe to burst when the temperatures reach below freezing as fall moves into winter. Make sure to turn off your exterior hose bib valves, drain all the water from the pipes, and put your hose away. You can also wrap exterior water pipes with heating tape to save energy and avoid freezing issues.

10. Check Your Smoke Detectors

Because you will be using your fireplace and heating system more often, this increases the risk of fire danger. Therefore, test all smoke detectors and replace old batteries. Replace units that do not work properly. You should also review your fire safety plan with your family.

11. Look Over Your Driveway

Whether your driveway is concrete or another material, severe weather and changing seasons can wreak havoc on it over time. If your concrete driveway is showing cracks, it may be time to replace it. If your driveway has been dirt or gravel for the longest time and you’re tired of it washing out during heavy rain or having to refill or rake it to keep it even, consider upgrading to a paved driveway.

Not only does this save you time and reduce the maintenance you need to do, but it also makes your driveway easier to navigate and increases your home value too. This is one of the exterior home remodeling ideas that boosts curb appeal while also adding convenience and comfort for you.

Maintain and Improve Your Home With Zephyr Thomas

We have extensive experience in all types of home remodeling projects and can keep your home in peak condition all year round. If you go through this checklist and find areas that need to be fixed or improved, call Zephyr Thomas at 717-399-4708 or stop by our office to speak with our friendly, knowledgeable staff! We can help you with your home improvement needs, and we also have handyman services available for small projects or to assist with your fall maintenance needs.