Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Feel that nip in the air? Fall is here, and we’ll be looking at the first snow before you know it. Our team at Christie’s put this fall home maintenance checklist together to prepare your house and yard for cold weather, so it stays fresh year-round! 

OUTDOORS

Work your way from the outside in so you can complete the list even after the temperatures drop.

• Winterize trees and shrubs
  • Keep watering until temperatures are consistently cold.
  • Apply mulch to conserve moisture and keep the soil warm
  • Protect from salt spray

• Rake leaves – Rake, bag, or compost leaves. Left untended, fallen leaves can suffocate lawn grasses and invite disease.
  
• Water and fertilize your lawn
  • Cool-season grasses benefit from fertilizing about six weeks before your first expected frost.
  • Use fertilizer spikes or a granular fertilizer in the fall to improve growth in the spring. Do not fertilize evergreens. 
  • Grass needs water, of course, but as fall approaches, you can stretch out regular watering and let rainfall help. Healthy, established lawns generally need 1 inch of water, including precipitation, weekly.

• Plant bulbs for spring-blooming flowers – Preparing your flower bed in the fall gives the soil extra time to complete its work before spring.

• Winterize your sprinkler system
  • Experts recommend that Colorado homeowners have a blowout performed on their sprinkler systems in order to avoid burst pipes.
  • Some systems can be drained, while others require the water to be evacuated from the pipes to prevent freezing.

• Protect, prepare, or store outdoor equipment and furniture
  • Move to a garage, shed, or storage unit
  • Use individual covers or tarps to protect furniture
  • Bring in the cushions and leave the frame 

• Have a roof inspection
  • Our qualified professionals will look for any missing, buckling, loose, or cracked shingles, check the metal flashing surrounding chimneys and vents, inspecting the roof thoroughly, inside and out. 

• Clean gutters and downspouts
  • Debris, leaves, and water in your gutters can freeze when temperatures drop, causing backups and extra weight that pulls gutters away from your house. 
• Power wash house
  • Fall is the best time to powerwash your house. Leaves can build up in your gutters, and wind can blow the leaves and debris into hard-to-reach areas that can be caked on if not removed before winter.
  • Make sure to avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
    
• Paint exterior and/or front door
  • Fall can also be the best time to paint because there’s less of a difference between high and low temperatures during the day. It should be at least 50° F.
  • Painting your home is a great way to refresh for a new season!
  • Painting your front door is just the right small project to change your home’s look while improving curb appeal. Check out our list of Mini-Might-Mighty Renovations for other ideas like this.
    
• Weatherstrip your garage door
  • Properly installed weatherstripping should last as long as the door itself – 20+ years!
    
• Seal up air leaks
  
• Seal gaps where critters could enter
  
• Check walkways, railings, stairs, and the driveway for winter safety
  
• Stock up on winter supplies – like snow salt, shovels, etc.

INDOORS

• Get your furnace/heating system checked
  • Having your furnace checked by a professional contractor will ensure your airflow and the associated components are functioning appropriately.
  • Your HVAC systems should be checked by a professional once a year.
    
• Remove window A/C units and cover wall and roof units
  
• Ready your fireplace
  • Have your fireplace inspected by a professional.
  • If you don’t have one yet and are ready to go for it, we can help. Take a look at our fireplaces for inspiration here: https://christiescompleteservices.com/work/.
     
• Order your fuel for the winter
  • Including firewood, pellets for a pellet stove, and oil for an oil-burning furnace. It’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
    
• Check smoke and CO2 detectors
  • Check the batteries in your alarms every six months. Replace batteries once a year to be safe.

• Keep the humidifier humming
  
• Change filters
  • Furnace, air, and other filters should be changed yearly, preferably just before the heating season. Not only will this maintain healthy air quality, but it will also extend your HVAC unit’s life and lower energy costs.
    
• Bleed hot water radiators
  • Hot water radiators should be bled at least once a year. The best time to do this is ahead of the winter months so your system is in full working order before the temperature begins to drop.
    
• Deep-clean the kitchen
  • Clean stovetop and oven
  • Clean microwave
  • Clean dishwasher
  • Clean refrigerator (don’t forget the top!) and freezer
  • Discard old or expired food 
  • Clear countertops 
  • Degrease cabinet doors and backsplash
  • Dust top of high surfaces
    
• Paint interior molding or trim
  • As we get ready to spend more time inside, a refresh might be in order! Repainting your molding or trim is a great way to make your home feel new and extra cozy all winter.
    

The right time for home renovations is any time—don’t let the thermometer determine when you can enjoy your dream home. You can do a million things inside to make your home feel fresh and new. Check out our list of Mini-Might-Mighty Renovations for inspiration.

Ok, ready to get prepped for winter? Whether you’re doing some light maintenance or a total remodel, Christie’s team is here to help! Contact us for a complimentary consultation to discuss what renovations your home could use. Let us help you better understand your options and their benefits! We can make this winter the best one yet.