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Fall Home Maintenance

Submitted by Lorene Bartos, UNL Extension Educator

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Fall is here and before we know it winter weather will be arriving. Busy summer schedules have kept families busy and time to work around the home may have been limited. Now it is time to do fall maintenance around the home. This is important because it provides a healthy environment for the family and helps save the cost of big maintenance issues.

Start by taking a walk around your house or apartment and yard. Check the inside and outside of the home. The maintenance check should include checking all areas and doing the following:

• Clean out debris from gardens and areas around the house.
• Clean out gutters and check down-spouts and roof for leaks.
• Check and repair all exterior caulk.
• Trim away any limbs or shrubs touching the house.
• Clean flower beds and pots.
• Inspect and clean windows and check storm windows, if they are used.
• Check and replace any worn weather-stripping.
• Clean out under decks and porches.
• Clean out window wells.
• Drain and close exterior hose bibs.
• Drain and store hoses before it freezes.
• Check driveway for cracks and seal, as needed.
• Check crawl space for broken heating ducts, mold, excess moisture or insects.
• Check chimney and have it cleaned, if needed.
• Clean the garage and put away equipment no longer needed for this year.
• Check and prepare winter power equipment, such as snow blowers, etc.
• Find and check snow shovels and snow removal equipment and replace, if necessary.
• Prepare lawn mower for winter storage after the last mowing.
• Clean around air conditioner and prepare it for winter.

Other home maintenance includes clean or paint inside and outside wall surfaces, clean floors and walls, clean windows, vacuum carpet, keep sinks and shower drains running freely and repair any broken or damaged items in the home.

If you keep your home in good condition and have a regular maintenance plan your property will:

• maintain a good property value.
• sell more readily and usually bring a higher price.
• be more comfortable.
• have less unexpected repairs and expenses.
• have fewer expensive repair bills.

Renters, it is your responsibility to notify your landlord of any problems needing to be taken care of in your living quarters.

Enjoy the fall weather and make a fall maintenance checklist of things to complete before winter weather arrives. Being proactive will save you time and money.