10 Essential Fall Home Maintenance Tips
- Home Owner Tips
- Wednesday, October 9, 2024
As the crisp fall air sets in and the leaves begin to change, it’s time for homeowners across Canada to prepare for the colder months ahead. A little proactive home maintenance in the fall can save you from costly repairs come winter. Here are 10 essential fall home maintenance tips to keep your home safe, warm, and energy-efficient throughout the harsh Canadian winter.
1. Water Trees & Shrubs
At this time of the year, it is important to properly water trees and shrubs to prevent damage in the winter. For deciduous trees, you’ll want to wait until they have lost all of their leaves before you give them a final soaking before winter, so that the root system is moist when it freezes. Evergreens will require more water as the weather drops closer to zero degrees.
2. Inspect Eavestroughs & Downspouts
Fall brings a lot of debris, like leaves and twigs that tend to clog up gutters. By cleaning your gutters, you’ll prevent water damage and ice damming as temperatures drop. Ensure downspouts are clear to divert water away from your foundation, preventing any potential basement leaks.
3. Check Adjustable Steel Posts in the Basement
Adjustable steel posts or “teleposts” are used to support main beams in the basement and transfer loads to the foundation. Ensure that the bearing plate at the top of the telepost is always resting snugly beneath the beam.
4. Inspect Floor Drains
To prevent sewer gas from entering your home through floor drains, make sure water is always present in the drains. To test if your drains have water in them, pour a little water into the drain and listen. You should hear if the water hits more water or if it hits the bottom of the trap. Every few months or if you smell sewer gas, pour a bucket of water down the drain to re-establish the water seal.
5. Service Your Furnace
Before winter sets in, it is best practice to schedule a professional HVAC inspection to ensure your furnace is in good working order. In addition to an inspection, ensure you replace your furnace filter regularly to improve your furnaces’ efficiency, reduce allergens, and prevent costly repairs in the dead of winter.
6. Check Smoke Detectors
With the higher use of your furnace, fireplace or space heaters, the risk of fire exposure increases. To mitigate this risk, check that your smoke detectors are working properly and replace batteries if necessary.
7. Seal Windows & Doors
Drafts can lead to higher energy bills and an uncomfortable home. Inspect all windows and doors for cracks or gaps and use weatherstripping or caulking to seal any openings. This will help to improve your home’s insulation and reduce heat loss during the winter months.
8. Winterize Exterior Faucets
Canadian winters are brutal on exterior plumbing. Disconnect and drain your garden hoses and shut off water to outdoor faucets to prevent frozen pipes. For an extra layer of protection, you can install insulated faucet covers.
9. Manage Fall Leaves
Raking up your leaves not only helps avoid unhealthy patches in your lawn, but gives you a good pile of leaves to jump in as a part of your autumn festivities! After you’ve had your fun, you can mulch leaves as a ecosystem friendly way to provide nutrients to your lawn and garden.
You can find more yard maintenance tips for fall here.
10. Inspect Your Home’s Insulation
Insufficient insulation can lead to heat loss and higher energy bills. By checking your attic, basement, and walls for proper insulation and adding or upgrading accordingly, you’ll be able to reduce costs while keeping your home warm.
By investing time and effort into fall home maintenance, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the season to ensure your home stays warm, safe, and energy-efficient all winter long.