Summer is slowly being phased out, and the cooler weather is evidence enough of that. However, welcoming in fall isn’t as easy as merely waiting for it to arrive. There are a few things you can, and should, do before the weather begins to dip below freezing at night, and the leaves slowly fall off of the trees. In this post, we have a handy guide for you to conquer your fall checklist, and perform beneficial fall maintenance before the leaves are replaced by snow flurries. If you need materials for any of these tasks, you can stop by HomCo Lumber and Hardware and pick up the tools, accessories, or items for any of these tasks, and we have associates here to help you with any questions that you may have.

Inside the House:

• Check for drafts in windows and doors.
• Use weatherstripping or caulking for window and door drafts.
• Consider door sweeps to prevent drafts.
• Seal attic drafts, especially larger holes.
• Inspect and clean your central heating system.
• Ensure your humidifiers are clean and functioning.
• Troubleshoot and repair heating and humidifier issues.

Fall heralds the changing of temperatures, and now that the average temperature is dropping, you might notice a few drafts, especially when the wind kicks up. Now is the time to check your house for drafts and fix up your windows and your doors that let in the crisp, fall air. For windows, you can use weatherstripping to fix weaker seals, or use caulking for small holes.

You can use weatherstripping for doors as well, but you can also use a door sweep to prevent drafts. If there are drafts in your attic, focus on the bigger holes and seal them up. If you are having major draft issues, it is best to call in a professional to diagnose and fix the issue, especially with attics and basements.

Another thing to check in on is your central heating system, whether it be HVAC, stove, or fireplace. Make sure that your system is working properly and is clean and tidy for the coming season. It’s best to do this now, while it’s still cool, before it becomes winter.

Alongside your heating, check up on your humidifiers. It gets very dry during the winter, and now that summer and the monsoons are over, fall time will also start getting dry. If your humidifiers aren’t clean and functioning, you’ll notice the difference. If your unit isn’t functioning, troubleshoot the problem. If it’s a small fix, you can head over to HomCo Lumber and Hardware and pick up some parts, but if it requires a lot of detailed fixing, it is best to call a professional.

Outside the House:

• Clean out gutters to prevent clogs from fall debris.
• Replace gutters if needed before winter.
• Inspect and maintain your roof for snowstorms.
• Disconnect and store garden hoses to prevent freezing.
• Trim branches and prepare the garden for winter.
• Fertilize your lawn to keep it healthy.
• Properly store your lawnmower for winter.
• Patch up driveway concrete to prevent further damage.
• Start stocking up on firewood and protect it from the elements.

Outside your house is just as important as the inside when it comes to fall preparation and maintenance. The main thing you should check up on are your gutters. During fall, your gutters will collect a lot of plant matter and other debris, and if you want them working properly, you’ll need to get all of that unwanted stuff cleaned out.

If you need to replace your gutters as well, you should do that before any snow kicks in. It’s a lot more difficult to fix and replace them during the cold of winter. While you’re up looking at the gutters, check out the state of your roof. Make sure that it can last during the snow storms, and that all of the shingles are present and in place. You don’t need to get onto your roof unless some serious cleaning needs to be done, but if there are any shingles that need to be nailed down or replaced, make sure to do that before the first snow.

Make sure to disconnect your garden hose when you’re not using it, otherwise the water inside will freeze up. This can damage and break your hose and the pipes leading to it, which is a costly fix. It’s better to prevent this now than have to deal with the expensive bill down the road, especially when you need your water working during the winter.

If you need to trim branches and get your garden in shape for winter, do it now. You’ll likely be raking a lot of pine needles and leaves as well, so it’s good to clean up the whole yard at once. While you’re doing that, you can fertilize your lawn so that it’s extra prepared for the chill of winter. You won’t be able to enjoy your nice lawn during the winter, but you can keep it ready for next year. Make sure to store your lawnmower properly as well. Drain the fuel, or mix in a fuel stabilizer so that the fuel doesn’t oxidize and ruin the integrity of the mower. Cover it up, and make sure it is in a sheltered, dry place.

If your driveway is looking a bit worse for wear, fix the concrete and patch it up. If snowmelt gets in and freezes, the cracks will become a lot worse, and eventually potholes will form. It’s best to prevent that before it ever begins. Also, don’t forget to start stocking up on firewood for the coming months. Protect them if you’re storing them outside and keep them away from the elements, and you should be good for the rest of the season.

Questions? Visit us today!

Summer is the time to relax and enjoy the weather, but fall is the time to prepare. If you’ve noticed something in your house that needs a bit of fixing up, like your drafty windows or overgrown bushes, you can stop by HomCo Lumber and Hardware to pick up any sort of tool, item, or hardware to help you get your home in shape. Hopefully this list helped you narrow down just what you need to do, or should do, before the weather gets too chilly and frozen. If you need any assistance with your projects, our associates will be happy to help you select the best item for your needs. Stop by, and get your house back into tip-top shape for the fall season!