Summer is over, and fall is officially in full bloom. Before you know it, the holidays will come and go, and we’ll be on our way into a new year. Finishing off the fall season with a few home projects can help you alleviate stress while getting a great head start on next year’s spring cleaning tasks. We have compiled a list of fall home projects to prioritize before winter arrives.
Table of Contents
Prep Your Furnace
It won’t be long until you rely on your home’s furnace to keep you warm. Minimally, you’ll want to replace your filter to prevent it from getting clogged with dust or other debris. Other heating tasks to complete during fall include clearing your vents and inspecting your thermostat. Fall is also a great time to schedule a furnace tune-up to avoid any untimely issues when the weather gets cold.
Some homeowners may rely on a fireplace for heat rather than a furnace. If you have a natural fireplace in your home, consider scheduling your professional cleaning before it gets too cold outside. Avoid using the fireplace until you receive a clear inspection from a professional chimney sweep.
Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring
The steps you take now to repair and preserve your lawn determine how much work you’ll have to do in spring for a beautiful-looking yard. The first step to fall yard cleanup should be raking and removing leaves. Then, you’ll want to schedule your lawn aeration service before seeding. Lawn aerating removes yard plugs, which allow water and essential nutrients to reach the roots.
The best time for lawn seeding is right after a professional lawn aeration service. The direct path to the grass’s roots makes it easier for the seeds to form a secure attachment. Over winter, the seeds will grow, and you’ll be left with a thriving lawn come spring. In the meantime, continue mowing and watering your grass until your area gets its first frost. Timely lawn care is just as important in the fall months as it is in the spring and summer.
Trim Trees and Bushes
Fall is also the perfect time to go through your yard and trim back any tree branches or overgrown bushes. Strong storms can break off weak tree branches, which could fall on your home and cause expensive damages. Tree branches can break windows or damage your vehicles. Even worse, they could fall on you or a visitor. Trim back bushes, especially around your HVAC system or windows.
Protect Your Perennial Flowers
This is also a good time to protect any perennials in your yard. Perennials are plants that come back each year, but extreme winter weather can prevent them from returning. Putting mulch around your plants can help keep them warm and prevent too much damage from winter weather. Unlike more sensitive plants, you shouldn’t have to cover your perennials to protect them from frost damage. However, if you live in an area with extreme winters, you might add a layer of mesh to your plants and bushes as an additional element of protection.
Inspect Your Roof and Make Any Necessary Repairs
Inspecting your roof now can save you a lot of money and hassle come winter. Strong winter storms can put a lot of added pressure on your roof, sometimes leading to expensive damages. You’ll want to replace any missing shingles and patch up damaged parts of the roof. It’s usually a good idea to leave your roof inspection to a professional since missing any broken or damaged parts could lead to leaks, and remediating water and mold damage is often one of the most expensive home projects. While making minor repairs to shingles may be possible as a DIY project, you’ll want to first understand the roof layout.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Inspect your gutters and clean out any leaves or dirt so rain or melted snow can flow freely from your roof. Otherwise, the gutters can get clogged and cause wall and ceiling damage. Water quickly backs up, which could lead to your attic or basement flooding. The water could also cause your land to erode, ruining your gardens and professional landscaping.
Some homeowners may want to install gutter guards, which can help prevent further blocks from occurring. You have a lot of options available for guard gutters, with mesh and foam being the most common materials.
The time spent on maintenance projects begins winding down during the fall. However, before you cozy up in front of the fireplace and enjoy the holiday season, completing a few last-minute projects is important. These fall projects can make spring maintenance easier, including inspecting your roof and seeding your lawn.
Featured Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
