Your Complete Home Maintenance Guide for the Fall Season

As the leaves change color and the temperatures start to drop, it’s a clear sign that fall has arrived along the East Coast. While you might associate this season with cozy nights sipping hot apple cider with your favorite movie on or weekend adventures exploring the variety of pumpkin patches all around, it’s also an important time to prepare your home for the upcoming winter months. 

As a homebuilder in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, our new homes by Logan Homes are built to the highest quality. However, if you’ve lived in your home for some time, proper fall maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs, so read on to learn our top fall maintenance tasks to ensure your home stays comfortable all season long. 

Inspect and clean your gutters

The fall season equates to falling leaves, and adding that with an increased rainfall throughout the weeks, leaves can quickly begin to accumulate in your gutters. When this happens, they can block the flow of water and lead to potential water damage and roof problems, so it’s important to make sure to clean your gutters frequently and thoroughly—removing leaves, twigs and debris. This could also be a great time to consider installing gutter guards around your home to reduce the need for frequent cleaning.  

Check outdoor drainage

After your gutters are clear, this is also a great time to continue your work outdoors and inspect your property’s drainage systems, including any downspouts and sump pumps. For this, you’ll want to clear any debris that could obstruct water flow, ensuring that rainwater is directed away from your home’s foundation. When you have adequate drainage, it can help to prevent flooding and water damage. 

Inspect the roof

The fall season is also an important time to bring a professional out to inspect your roof where they’ll look for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, curling or missing shingles. They’ll also be on the lookout for any loose shingles caused by wind or hail and any damaged shingles that are cracked, broken or have granule loss. All of these issues can lead to leaks if they’re not addressed promptly, so by getting your roof inspected early in the season, you’ll be able to prevent any water leaks during the fall rains.

Prepare your landscape

As you finish up your outdoor maintenance checklist, this is also a great time to prepare your landscape for winter. For this step, you’ll want to trim any overgrown branches you see and remove any dead vegetation. As the weather gets colder, you’ll also want to make sure you’re protecting your plants from the temperatures and frost that could come up, and adding mulch to your flower beds is one way to help with this. 

Service your HVAC system

Before the colder weather really sets in, you’ll also want to take the time to schedule a professional HVAC inspection and servicing appointment. This will ensure your heating system is running efficiently, reducing energy costs and preventing unexpected breakdowns. By replacing the filters and cleaning the vents regularly, you’ll also improve your indoor air quality throughout the year. 

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Safety should always be a top priority throughout the year, so each season, you’ll want to set aside some time to test all of the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home to ensure they are working correctly. Replace the batteries if necessary and consider upgrading to newer models for an added safety measure if you’ve had them for years. 

Get your home ready for the season

By following this comprehensive fall maintenance guide, homeowners can ensure that their homes are ready for any challenges the autumn season can bring. Regular maintenance not only preserves your home’s value but also enhances your overall quality of life as you transition into the beautiful season of fall. If you’re hoping to move to a new home this season or are looking to start your first homebuying journey, our team at Logan Homes is here to help. With new home communities available throughout Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, you’ll easily be able to find the home that fits your lifestyle and preferences. Fill out our online form to get started today.