Fall House Maintenance Checklist

Here’s a five-step fall house maintenance checklist. By making home maintenance a part of your yearly fall routine you will catch potential problems early and ensure that your home is ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store. If any of these tasks feel overwhelming, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. If it isn’t something that we are able to help you with, we can very often recommend a qualified local SF Bay Area tradesperson.

1. Clean Your Gutters.
Your roof’s drainage system directs literally thousands of gallons of water away from your home’s exterior walls and foundation each year, making it essential to keep this system working properly. Clogged gutters can lead to water leaks, damage to exterior surfaces, and water in your basement. Additionally, gutters are more susceptible to corrosion when blocked. Be sure to take the time to clean your gutters this fall season.

Tip: Attachments for water hoses are widely available that allow you to spray out the gutters with a standard garden hose. This method is effective for clearing dirt and light debris but works best as a follow-up after the larger debris has been removed. For stubborn clogs in gutters and downspouts, you might consider using a wet/dry vacuum. Several companies also sell leaf blower attachments designed for ground-level gutter cleaning. These attachments feature a long pipe with a curved end that allows you to blow debris out of the gutters. This method is ideal for gutters filled with heavier debris like twigs, packed leaves, and dirt, though it may leave you with some ground cleanup after the gutters are clear.

2. Seal-up Air Leaks.
Gaps in caulk and weatherstripping allow cold air to seep into your home as you are trying to keep it warm. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing a drafty house can reduce heating bills by as much 20%.

Weatherstripping is one of the most cost-effective ways to control heating and cooling costs, while also reducing drafts and keeping your home more comfortable year-round. Since weatherstripping deteriorate over time, it’s important to inspect it regularly.

Windows are another major source of energy loss. Caulking can help prevent this, as long as it’s in good condition. Check all of your windows, and reapply caulk if you notice it is brittle, cracked, or separating. While you’re at it, inspect doors and entry points for electrical, cable, phone, and gas lines for missing or damaged caulk. Seal any gaps you find with the appropriate caulk.

Tip: To check if your weatherstripping is working properly, close a door or window on a strip of
paper. If the paper slides out easily, the weatherstripping isn’t sealing the opening effectively.

3. Inspect Your Roof.
The life expectancy of a roof varies, depending on the roof type and how well it’s maintained, generally lasting 15–30 years. Few problems are more frustrating for homeowners than a leaky roof in the middle of the wet season, so address these issues this fall before winter storms turn minor annoyances into major disasters.

Begin by inspecting your pitched roof thoroughly from top to bottom, using binoculars if necessary. Check the ridge shingles for cracks or wind damage, and examine the metal flashing around the roof’s edges, vents, and chimneys for signs of wear. If your roof is shingled, look for missing, curled, or damaged shingles. Also, check your gutters for significant granule buildup, as this could indicate your roof is losing its protective coating, which may signal more serious issues.

Tip: Roof-mounted television antenna, even if no longer in use, will usually have wires securing it in place. Look for replace any missing or loose wires. If your antenna is obsolete, consider having it removed entirely.

4. Change air filters:
Dirty air filters can drive up energy costs and damage your HVAC system. It’s also wise to remove vent covers and vacuum out pet dander, hair, and other debris that can collect inside. These contaminants can hinder your HVAC system’s performance and literally turn your HVAC into a distribution system of those unwanted particles throughout your home.

Tip: Changing the air filter is relatively simple, but be sure to check the size of your existing filter before heading to the hardware store.

5. Inspect the Exterior Paint.
Visually inspect the entire exterior of your home for cracked or peeling paint and for any signs of water leaks. Peeling or cracked paint indicates that the protective paint layer is failing, leaving your stucco or siding vulnerable to deterioration, which can lead to costly repairs down the road. Fall typically provides enough warm and dry days for exterior painting, and a fresh new coat (or even just a paint touch-up) will help protect and extend the life of your home.

Tip: Painters tend to get busier as winter rains approach, so it’s best to contact a good painter as early as possible. The steps you take today can help safeguard your home from costly damage and emergency repairs during the cooler, wetter months ahead. A small investment of time and effort now can save you from significant stress, heartache, and expenses in the future.

(Written August 2024)

Yefim Skomorovsky
Painting Contractor in San Francisco Bay Area