Fall Home Checklist

Fall has arrived! While it’s hard to say goodbye to the summer heat, we can finally pull out our cute scarves and boots. When the seasons change there are usually a few things you need to do around the house. We’ve put together a fall home checklist to help prepare you for the season.

Put away your summer tools

Things you only use in the summer can be cleaned, closed and stored. Some things you might need to put away include:

• Patio furniture

• Lawnmower

• Fountains

• Barbeque

• Garden tools

Get the garden ready for cooler weather

If you have a green thumb, there are a few things you’ll need to do in the garden this time of year:

• Fertilize! Fall is a great time of year to fertilize the lawn and add compost or manure to the garden

• Move any houseplants indoors. Be sure to check them for pests first

• Plant bulbs that flower in the spring

• Clean up any debris that may have accumulated in the garden, including vegetable plants and fruit that may have fallen

• If it’s getting close to the freezing point, drain your garden hoses

• You can keep watering trees and shrubs until frost appears

Check your smoke detectors

This is a great time of year to make sure your smoke detector is in good working order. Simply press and hold the test button. If it’s working, you’ll know right away! If the sound is weak or if there is no alarm, be sure to replace the batteries right away. This is also a great opportunity to check the date on your fire extinguisher and stock up your first aid kit.

Home exterior checklist

A quick tour around the outside of your home will get most of these things off your list:

• Drain, remove and store any outdoor hoses

• Make sure exterior spigots are turned off

• Check walls and the foundation for any cracks. If you see any damage, have it repaired immediately

• Check exterior lights and replace any bulbs that may have gone out

• Inspect your windows – be on the lookout for cracks, gaps or holes

Clean your wood-burning fireplace and chimney

If you have a wood-burning fireplace in your home, it’s almost time to light it up! There’s nothing better than gathering around a cozy fire with the family. Here are a few tips to make sure everyone stays safe:

• Remove any leftover ash from last season

• Test the damper

• Clean the flue – failure to do so is the leading cause of chimney fires!

• Inspect the exterior of the chimney. Repair or replace any chipped or missing bricks. You can also use this as an opportunity to trim tree branches that may be too close to your chimney

• Stock up on firewood

Inspect the roof

Fall is a great time to take a look at your roof. You want to make sure to avoid any costly leaks before snow is in the forecast. Here are a few quick things you can do:

• Look for any holes or leaks

• Check the shingles to see if any are cracked, loose or even missing

• Look out for cracked or dried caulking

• Check inside for peeling paint or stains on ceilings and walls

If you see any red flags, get a professional in to make any necessary repairs.

Enjoy the season!

Once you’ve checked these things off your list, there’s only one things left to do: enjoy the season! Put on a cozy sweater, pick up a pumpkin spice latte, and jump in the nearest pile of leaves.