Patios and Decks

Inspect your concrete and flagstone patios and wood decks. If you notice anything that needs to be repaired, now’s the time! Use a pressure washer to get off all of that summer dirt and debris. Check your deck for splinters or nails that may have popped up. Sanding or a new coat of weatherproofing may be needed. This can protect your hardscaping from the potentially harsh winter weather. Check all of your railings to see if they’re loose and need to be tightened or replaced. Whether you are storing it or leaving it out all winter, now is also a great time to give your patio furniture a good cleaning.

Hardware

All exterior hardware should be checked. This includes hinges and handles on gates, doorknobs, and locks for outside storage. If you reuse the same home maintenance checklist from year to year, be sure to include the locations of these pieces. Always check for rust on your hardware that could prevent them from working properly.

Roofs

Make sure you add a roof inspection to your fall maintenance checklist this year. Damaged or old shingles can degrade and cause leaks. Be sure to check the flashing around your chimney to ensure that the coming melting snow doesn’t cause any roof leaks. Late summer is also a good time to have your roof thoroughly cleaned and check out the shingles to damaged areas from a storm or the hot sun, especially since we are headed into hurricane season. If your roof shows signs of damage, it’s important to get it repaired quickly before leaks or water damage occur.

Gutters

Heading into hurricane season, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and other debris that could cause them to clog. Overflowing or full gutters can cause damage to your home’s exterior if the extra weight causes them to pull away from the house. If there is a leak or a crack in your siding, it could cause water damage internally. Make sure the runoff spouts for your gutters are located in places where water won’t build up and damage the rest of your lawn.

Fences

Before late fall/winter arrives, power washes your fence to clean off all dirt and debris that has settled on it. Then, select a high-quality, oil-based wood fence sealant and apply it to the entire fence. This will protect the wood from the harsh winter elements. Inspect your fence for any damage and replace posts or boards that are showing signs of rotting or stability problems. In early fall, trim large tree branches and bushes back from the fence to help prevent extensive damage. You also want to make sure you regularly check for knotholes. These are ideal homes for insects and other pests that could cause a lot of damage to the structure of your fence.

Exterior Siding and Trim

This is a very important time to check and look over the outside of your home. Look for damaged siding, cracks, and other things that could cause water to seep in, or air conditioning/heat to escape from the inside of your house.Storm windows and doors should also be checked to make sure they are still secure and clean. Check the trim on your home to make sure it’s not rotting and give it a fresh coat of paint if needed.

Exterior Walls

Check to make sure that there are no cracks, holes, or gaps in your trim, walls, brick or siding. Make the necessary repairs with caulk and replace rotted wood. Fall is also a good time to brighten up the exterior of your home by getting the dirt and debris off with a power washer.

Screens and Windows

The late summer/early fall months are a great time to remove the screens from your windows and give them a good cleaning. Check for holes or tears in the screen mesh, and make sure they still fit and seal properly on your windows. While they’re off, give your windows a scrub as well. Washing your windows will remove summer grime and let the sun in to provide warmth and natural light in the winter. Inspect the trim around your windows and make repairs or caulk as needed. A leaky window could not only let water in but could also let warm air out, causing your electricity bill to skyrocket.