Home Maintenance Checklist to Tackle this Fall
As a Lake of the Ozarks homeowner, there are several things that need to be done to prepare your home this fall for the winter months. Some of the items that should be addressed aren't always at the top of mind though. So this week, we've decided to compile an easy checklist to ensure you get all of these tasks check off around your home before winter hits.
☑️Winterize Your Lawn and Garden Equipment
After you mow your lawn for the last time this season, change the oil and fill the tank up fresh fuel along with a stabilizer in your mower, weed eater, and any other lawn equipment needed. Clean the blades so they don't rust throughout the winter months. Make sure to unhook and drain any water hoses and have your irrigation system winterized to prevent line breaks or leaks.
☑️Clean Gutters and Downspouts
A debris-clogged gutter can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home. Once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out gutters and downspouts, or if you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, have a professional come out to do this for you.
☑️Take Care of Fall Landscaping Tasks
Leaves look beautiful blanketing the ground, but allowing leaves to build up on a lawn this fall can become a safe haven for unwanted pests, turf damage and disease. Letting leaves lie over winter in a snowy area can inhibit spring growth. Keep leaves cleared from your lawn this fall to promote a healthy lawn in the spring. If you have trees on your property, fall is the time to prune them to avoid falling limbs in winter storms.
☑️Inspect the Exterior of Your Home and Make Repairs
Take a walk around your property, looking for signs of damage to the roof, siding and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it before winter weather hits. Since it may be difficult to determine any repairs needed to a roof without getting up there and thoroughly inspecting it, it may be best to get an estimate from a professional roofer. Most companies offer free estimates, too, so it's worth having them take a look!
☑️Seal Gaps Where Cold Air or Critters Could Enter
As the temperatures drop, any gaps where cool air can seep into your home can cause it to be hard to keep your home heated and cause your heating bill to be high. Also, mice need only a tiny gap to be able to sneak into your house and raid your pantry — and with colder weather coming, all of the little critters out there will be looking for warm places to make a home. Fill small holes or gaps to ensure the heat in your home isn't escaping or that pesky critters aren't getting cozy in your warm home.
☑️Have Your HVAC System Serviced
Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling pro to get your heating system checked and tuned up for the fall and winter season. An annual maintenance contract ensures you’re at the top of the list for checks and can save you money by preventing expensive repairs. Change your furnace filters, too. This is something you should do every two months anyway, but if you haven’t, now’s the time.
☑️Check Your Fireplace Before Using
Any homeowner with a wood-burning fireplace is going to need to schedule an annual cleaning because of the buildup of soot and creosote. But not just wood burning fireplaces require checkups. Gas fireplaces should be checked annually, too. Gas fireplaces sometimes have a buildup of debris. For example, ceramic logs can deteriorate and clog vents. Also, over time, valves and connections could develop leaks which could cause malfunctions or hazardous situations.
Now that you've got a checklist to remind you of the home maintenance items that you need to tackle this fall, there's no better time than now to get started! And if you have plans for selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, having these items completed beforehand will make your duties to prepare your home for potential buyers that much easier. If you're thinking about listing your home for sale, contact Team Andy Gibson to learn how we can help you through the selling process!
☑️Winterize Your Lawn and Garden Equipment
After you mow your lawn for the last time this season, change the oil and fill the tank up fresh fuel along with a stabilizer in your mower, weed eater, and any other lawn equipment needed. Clean the blades so they don't rust throughout the winter months. Make sure to unhook and drain any water hoses and have your irrigation system winterized to prevent line breaks or leaks.
☑️Clean Gutters and Downspouts
A debris-clogged gutter can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home. Once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out gutters and downspouts, or if you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, have a professional come out to do this for you.
☑️Take Care of Fall Landscaping Tasks
Leaves look beautiful blanketing the ground, but allowing leaves to build up on a lawn this fall can become a safe haven for unwanted pests, turf damage and disease. Letting leaves lie over winter in a snowy area can inhibit spring growth. Keep leaves cleared from your lawn this fall to promote a healthy lawn in the spring. If you have trees on your property, fall is the time to prune them to avoid falling limbs in winter storms.
☑️Inspect the Exterior of Your Home and Make Repairs
Take a walk around your property, looking for signs of damage to the roof, siding and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it before winter weather hits. Since it may be difficult to determine any repairs needed to a roof without getting up there and thoroughly inspecting it, it may be best to get an estimate from a professional roofer. Most companies offer free estimates, too, so it's worth having them take a look!
☑️Seal Gaps Where Cold Air or Critters Could Enter
As the temperatures drop, any gaps where cool air can seep into your home can cause it to be hard to keep your home heated and cause your heating bill to be high. Also, mice need only a tiny gap to be able to sneak into your house and raid your pantry — and with colder weather coming, all of the little critters out there will be looking for warm places to make a home. Fill small holes or gaps to ensure the heat in your home isn't escaping or that pesky critters aren't getting cozy in your warm home.
☑️Have Your HVAC System Serviced
Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling pro to get your heating system checked and tuned up for the fall and winter season. An annual maintenance contract ensures you’re at the top of the list for checks and can save you money by preventing expensive repairs. Change your furnace filters, too. This is something you should do every two months anyway, but if you haven’t, now’s the time.
☑️Check Your Fireplace Before UsingAny homeowner with a wood-burning fireplace is going to need to schedule an annual cleaning because of the buildup of soot and creosote. But not just wood burning fireplaces require checkups. Gas fireplaces should be checked annually, too. Gas fireplaces sometimes have a buildup of debris. For example, ceramic logs can deteriorate and clog vents. Also, over time, valves and connections could develop leaks which could cause malfunctions or hazardous situations.
Now that you've got a checklist to remind you of the home maintenance items that you need to tackle this fall, there's no better time than now to get started! And if you have plans for selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, having these items completed beforehand will make your duties to prepare your home for potential buyers that much easier. If you're thinking about listing your home for sale, contact Team Andy Gibson to learn how we can help you through the selling process!
Keller Williams Lake of the Ozarks Realty
858 Hwy 42
Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-286-5907 Cell
573-348-9898 Office
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