Summer is coming to a close. Even in a place without drastic seasonal changes like San Diego, there’s still plenty of maintenance tasks to do, and the change of seasons marks a good time to get them done! Here are some home maintenance tasks to do as the season changes.

Clean Gutters

Clogged gutters during rain can cause water to pool and damage your roof or sliding. To prevent damage, clean out gutters in the fall, before rain comes. If you’re worried about falling, consider hiring somebody to help. Be sure to check your gutters again after leaves have fallen to make sure that they haven’t become clogged.

Service Furnace and Chimney

Make sure your furnace and chimney are cleaned, maintained, and working properly before you need to turn on the heat! Schedule an appointment for an inspection and replace any dirty filters. Additionally, check to make sure you have a chimney cap to prevent small animals from crawling into the fireplace. As you start to use your furnace and chimney, it’s important to make sure that they are working properly.

Seal Gaps

Sealing gaps serve a double purpose. First, sealing any small gaps prevents drafts from making the house too cold. Additionally, as cold weather comes, small animals might sneak into a warmer house to make a home. Seal small gaps with caulk and weather stripping to prevent drafts and small animals from coming in. Cover any larger gaps with heavy-duty hardware cloth. When doing so, take the time to measure your insulation and audit energy waste to see if you need to make any changes to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Exterior Repairs

In the same vein, take the time to do any exterior repairs that need to be done. Take the time to perform any roof repairs before winter rains come. Make sure that any crumbling mortar is replaced before the weather gets too cold. Taking the time to finish exterior repairs in the fall will keep your home safe and warm when winter comes.

Wrap up Seasonal Lawn Care

There’s plenty to do in the yard as fall comes. Trim dead growth from the trees and rake the leaves. Dead growth can lead to mold growth and breed pests. So, take the time to clean up the yard. Additionally, pull weeds and put down weed preventative on your lawn to ensure a green lawn next year.

Clear Deck and Patio

Clean the deck and patio after a summer of use. Clean and store away any furniture that you no longer plan on using to keep them from getting damaged by the weather. Then, after cleaning the deck, consider performing a deck safety inspection to get the deck ready for the next summer. Look for missing or rusted bolts, as well as boards that need to be replaced. Getting the deck inspected in the fall, when deck companies aren’t as busy, will save time for next year.

Take Stock of Garage

The season change is a great time to do some checking and organizing. Take the time to inspect your garage door: adjust springs and cables, lubricate moving parts, tighten hardware, track, and hinges, and inspect safety sensors and opening gears. Also take the time to organize your garage so summer items are put away properly and any winter items can be found on short notice.

Protect Plumbing

Fall is a good time to clean your water lines. Check your plumbing for clogs and clear them out. Take the time to shake out any hoses that you might have used in the summer. Finally, take the time to drain your water heater to prevent sediment buildup.

Safety Check

Take the change in seasons to check your safety devices. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if needed. By performing seasonal maintenance, you can keep your house safe!C

These are some fall maintenance tasks that I always check off as the seasons change. What tasks do you do? Let me know in the comments!