Michigan Fall Home Maintenance Check List:

Outdoors:

- Check caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. Even the tiniest cracks in these areas can allow enough water in to do some serious damage and also potential mold issues.  In addition, check exterior paint as well and touch up as needed.

 

- Check your roof for exposed nails, nail pops, and missing shingle(s). These are very important maintenance repairs before winter, as freezing water expands as it becomes ice, which can damage any area where water exists.

 

- Clean gutters - keeping your gutter systems clean and maintained is one of the most important ways to keep water away from your home's foundation.  Keep water flowing AWAY from you home!

 

- Cover your exterior air conditioning compressor unit. Most manufacturers recommend not running your AC below 65 degrees, as it can damage the unit (check your owner's manual). Covering the exterior unit when you are finished using it for the season will keep debris and additional moisture out of the unit.   Help keep it clean

 

- Trim dead limbs on trees and bushes - trimming dead tree branches before winter can prevent them from falling with the weight of snow and ice, which can cause damage to anything below. In addition, trimming dead limbs can make spring clean up much easier. Rake leaves to keep from killing your grass.

 

- Flowers - trim perennials and remove annuals. Trimming perennials before winter sends energy to the roots for next season.  Annuals will need to be removed anyway, and spring removal can be messier as the ground is typically more wet in the spring than in the fall.

 

- Mulch young plants - give newer trees and shrubs a fresh 2-4" layer of fresh organic mulch to keep the plantings warm and control water runoff and soil erosion as we head into colder temperatures

 

- Blow out sprinkler systems.  Hire this task out if you don't own an air compressor or need help with this task. Do not try this yourself without proper research or you may damage your sprinkler system.

 

- Repair and seal driveway cracks. Water entering cracks and expanding during freezing can damage driveways and walkways.

- Drain hoses and shut off outdoor water valves. Disconnect hose from the faucet to allow frost free hose bibs to work properly.

- Clean and seal wood decks.

 

Indoors:

- Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The NFPA recommends smoke detectors be tested once a month. In addition, make sure you have a fire extinguisher accessible with instructions attached and everyone in your home knows where it is located.  For more information on smoke alarm safety,

- Replace furnace filter.   In addition, change your humidity setting on your furnace humidifier to a comfortable setting.  Fall is also a great time to have your furnace inspected, as it most likely hasn't been used for months.  Remember you humidifier filter as well. Make sure to schedule an inspection well in advance as this is a busy season for HVAC professionals.

 

- Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for lint and debris.  One of the more common causes of home fires is clogged dryer vents, as lint is highly combustible. Typical recommendations are to clean these once per year or more often if you have more than 2 people in the home.

 

- Sweep chimneys.  It is important to keep your chimney clean for proper airflow and ventilation. Chimneys used for exhaust ventilation, including gas appliances like furnaces and hot water heaters, need to be properly maintained to avoid health and safety issues.

 

- Ceiling fans.  Clean  your ceiling fans and reverse your fans if needed.  Ceiling fans should be pushing warm air down in the fall and winter for proper air circulation.


- Check  sump pumps.  If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working properly.  There are several types of systems.  Check your owner's manual for testing and maintenance schedules.

 

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