It’s the most wonderful time of the year! WAIT, it’s not Christmas just yet haha! It’s FALL again!

Fall is the period of time that we all love in some way, shape, or form, but while the weather is still warm and mild for the most part, there’s a secret I should let you in on…

It’s not the changing colors of leaves or the harvest, but rather the heightened responsibility as a homeowner to stay one step ahead of the game regarding your home exterior’s maintenance. 

Fall is the last stop before winter (A very unrelenting season not only for its temperature, but also its dormancy phase) so you don’t want to leave any stone unturned that could cost you unnecessary time and money, nor do you ever want to be in a position where you are unprepared during winter that stops you from getting off on the right foot in Spring. 

All that being said, if you are looking to gain some ground on your home exterior maintenance, here are 10 fall maintenance tips that you should follow! 

10 Fall Maintenance Tips

1. Check Your Gutters for Leaves

Gutters clogged with leaves is a common, non-emergency issue, but it can be one if you don’t clean them out! Clogged gutters can cause exterior water damage, as well as invite some unwelcome guests such as pests, rodents, and mold.

Leaves become very heavy and wet sitting in gutters, so do not mess around when it comes to your fall gutter cleaning. It is best to not do this yourself, considering it requires ladders, and anytime you climb a ladder there are safety risks.

Instead have a company like us clean ‘em out!

2.Service Your Lawnmower

Inspect your lawnmower to ensure it is in proper working condition. Clean undercarriage, sharpen blades, and ensure gasoline is drained! The former is especially important because gasoline left in the tank can get stale and a bit gummy in the winter, which can damage the carburetor. Refer to the owner’s manual for additional instructions!

3.Aerate Your Lawn & Overseed

Be sure to aerate your lawn as it satisfies your lawn’s need for air, which on the other hand, opens up the opportunity to facilitate seed germination to ensure growth. Generously spread seed over your lawn after aerating, and be sure to water every now and then.

4. Look for Cracks Around Windows

It is common for windows around your house to crack every now and then due to what is called “Stress cracks” that are a result of pressure-induced by temperature changes, and interesting enough, exterior shading changes. 

When a window is cracked, it’s strength is compromised to withstand the elements, so get ‘em fixed!

5. Inspect Your Roof

Inspect your roof with the help of a professional! DIY roof inspections is not recommended due to risk of falls and serious injury. The surface of your roof is fragile and vulnerable to the elements that can invite the growth of mold, moss, and other harmful guests that are very costly. 

Typically, a roof soft wash is used in the cleaning process. Consult with a local power washing company to assess your situation.  Additionally, if you need a new roof, then you may want to reach out to a roof replacement company to inspect it fist!

6. Prepare Outdoor Water Spigots

Water spigots, as known as, water faucets need to be prepared as you’ll use them less and less when the fall comes to a close. Cut off the exterior water supply in your utility room, turn the water spigot on, and let the excess water out before closing it again. 

Very simple to do! Important note: Trapped water if not drained will cause the water pipe to expand in winter and could cause costly damage. 

7. Rake Your Yard

It is not to just make your lawn look good, but also to preserve its health overall! Some of the things that your lawn needs air, water, and nutrients, and when leaves pile up, they can smother its growth and also lead to the formation of diseases like brown patch, etc. 

Plant life that is matted down is not something plants can adapt to sustain growth, so clean the leaves up to give your lawn a chance at life!

8. Use Lime in November on Your Grass

Liming your grass is a technique used to reduce its acidity, as well as to strengthen its fertility and/or oxygen levels. Many households lime right before winter in November, so that the grass can actively absorb it during winter’s dormancy phase.

By doing so, your grass is primed for growth in the Spring!

9. See About Soft Washing Your Siding

This one is one that is often overlooked, but an important one to consider! Exterior siding on your house no matter what material it is made out of needs cleaning every now and then, and depending on local temperatures in your area, you may need more or less! 

Dirt, discoloration, mold, moss, algae, etc., and a host of other unwelcome things can grow on your siding and cause significant damage if not addressed in a timely manner. 

Soft washing siding is a low-pressure use of water and a cleaning solution that will get the job done in a quick and efficient manner, but it is essential that you know the safety guidelines to operate a pressure washer beforehand as there are safety risks in doing so. 

That being said, it is easy to play it safe and contact a power washing company to assess your situation and offer the best solution. With the amount of time, you’ll need to soft wash, most likely not too much, it best to hire a professional to service you! 

10 Enjoy the Weather!

After you have done the hard work to make sure you are in tip-top shape and prepared your home’s exterior for winter by following the 10 tips above, one of the most exciting things you can do is to get some fresh air outside and enjoy it while you can! 

Go for a run, a hike, pick apples, or perhaps a walk in the park with you spouse or dog can do the trick as well. If I have learned anything, it would be that time is the most valuable asset you’ll ever have, so use it intentionally, keep adding value to it, and you’ll be in a better position down the road!

Final Word:

While the fall maintenance checklist is different when compared to the spring checklist, or the winter checklist, at the end of the day the type of home maintenance is relativleey the same.

Check your lawn, check the leaves in your gutters, and check the condition/apperance of your home.

With cold weather looming, it’s important to also pay close attention to places where heat escapes your home. That being said, if you need help with your gutters, be sure to reach out here!