home owner tips

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!

As a homeowner, your to-do list never really ends. There’s always something that needs to be cleaned, repaired, or updated. Which makes it easy to fall behind when life gets busy or overwhelming. If you can’t remember the last time you dusted your blinds or checked your smoke alarms, spring and early summer is a great time to catch up on any chores or annual maintenance tasks you may have missed over the winter. Not sure where to start? Check out my list of the top ten tasks that should be at the top of your spring-cleaning checklist:

Test and Dust Safety Detectors

Many homeowners take it for granted that their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. But you don’t want an emergency to be the time you find out you have a problem! Instead, take some time to replace the batteries, wipe down the metal contacts to remove any accumulated dust, and test each detector to make sure it’s working as expected.

Clean or Replace Your Exhaust Hood Filter

Take a look at the filter on the exhaust hood in your kitchen. These should be cleaned periodically throughout the year. If you haven’t cleaned yours in awhile, you’ll want to take care of this chore ASAP! The purpose of this filter is to collect grease and over time it can become too clogged to do its job properly. Depending on your filter, you may be able to run it through the dishwasher, but you should attempt to clean it with hot water and de-greasing soap first to get the worst of the grime off. If your filter is beyond hope, you can also just replace it.

Dust Your Blinds

When it comes to regular dusting, blinds are often overlooked and ignored. Use a microfiber cloth to thoroughly dust your blinds, taking note of any that need to be replaced. You may also want to use an all-purpose cleaner to spot clean any particularly soiled areas. Just be to sure use a cleaner that’s formulated for the material of your blinds.

Stop Squeaky Doors and Cabinets

Have you been living with a squeaky door or cabinet? Now is the time to take care of it! Simply pick up a can of WD40 or other lubricant at your local hardware store. If the hinges have become rusted, you’ll want to use steel wool to get the rust off first.

Service Your Air Conditioning Unit

Spring is the time to get your air conditioning unit checked before summer comes. The last thing you want to do is put this off until you really need it! If you need a referral for a local specialist to come and check your AC unit, give me a call – I’ll be happy to provide you with a referral.

Clean Your Ceiling Fans

It’s easy to forget to dust your ceiling fan when you’re not using it. But dust and lint can quickly build up on the fan blades. Before you turn your fans on for summer, make you give them a thorough cleaning. Use a pillowcase or micro fiber cloth to remove the dust from the blades and don’t forget to wipe down the rest of the appliance – pull chain, motor housing, light bulbs, and any glass fixtures.

Prepare for Outdoor Entertaining

With warmer weather on the way, now is the time to tackle your outdoor entertaining spaces. Whether you have a large deck or a small patio start by sweeping up any debris before power washing the space. Be on the lookout for rodent or insect damage as you go. Once done, you may consider resealing or repainting your outdoor surfaces to protect them from the elements. And if your patio furniture has seen better days, replace it with something new – your guests will thank you!

Re-Energize Your Garden

If your garden is looking a bit worse for wear, it’s not too late to bring it back to life! Start by pulling weeds, removing dead plants, and clearing away any rocks or debris that have blown in over the winter. Once you have a clean surface to work with, spread new soil and plant seeds or flowers. With care and attention, your garden will soon be thriving again!

Inspect Your Roof

With all the rain and storms we had this winter in San Diego, it’s a good idea to check your roof for damage. Look for missing shingles, holes, or signs of termites. If something doesn’t look right, call a professional. Roof damage should be taken care as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the rest of your home.

Gutters

While you’re checking out your roof, make sure to take a look at your gutters, too. Clear any debris and check for signs of damage over the winter. You should also check around your gutters for water stains and other signs that your roof may have leaked.

If you need any referrals for local professionals or inspectors in the San Diego County area, I would be glad to provide them for you. Just give me a call! It’s important to stay on top of any needed repairs to preserve the value of your home.

And if, after you get done cleaning, you decide that now is the time to sell, I’d be happy to share how I’ve been able to get great results for my sellers in the San Diego area and how I can help you too.

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks