Fall House Cleaning Checklist
Clean Out the Gutters
The best time to clean out gutters is the last days of summer and the beginning days of fall. You want to do it during this time, before the first heavy rainfall hits. Get all the gunk out of the gutter by using a ladder and narrow gardening trowel. You want to start at the opposite end of the downspout; this way when you get to it, you can take a hose to flush the spout and make sure it won’t get clogged.
Secure Weather Stripping
A home with air leaks can make it feel super cold, making you rank up that heat causing your heating bills to rise. Weather-stripping is a great way to help keep your home warm. It helps reduce drafts coming into the home through those sneaky cracks. Weather-stripping can deteriorate over time, so it’s important to make sure you inspect it often. Check your home for air leaks and strip away!
Plug Leaky Roof Tops.
One of the worst things that can happen is when an unnoticed leaky roof starts to…leak water. Before this happens, make sure that in the fall you check your roof from top to bottom. Look for damage to metal and missing or damaged shingles. Also check gutters and make sure they are flowing smoothly.
Prepare For the Outdoor Chill.
Obviously, it can get very cold in certain parts of Canada. Before the freezing weather starts, take steps to make sure that outside faucets and inground irrigation systems don’t freeze and burst. Make sure to shut off values serving outside faucets and to open the outside faucet to drain the line. If you don’t have shut-off values then you may want to invest in some Styrofoam pipe and faucet covers sold at home centers.
Give Your Furnace A Physical
It’s important to make sure that your furnace is inspected by a professional at least once a year. To prevent a last minute call when in need, consider scheduling one in the early fall, that way if there are any concerns it will be fixed before you need it.
Keep Your Humidifier On
Dry winter air is not only bad for your health, but can also make fine wood more prone to cracking. It’s a good idea to keep your central humidifier in good shape during the months it is running to prevent that from happening. Inspect the plates and if needed, clean them using a strong laundry detergent solution. With a wire brush or steel wool, scrape off any mineral deposits.
Clean Out the Gas Heater
Gas heater is an important part of fall cleaning checklist. It’s important to keep a gas heater in good shape. This is good for both safety and expense issue. If your gas heater is poorly maintained, it can spew poisons into the air of your home. It is a good idea to have a professional check the device annually. To do a quick check for yourself, first make sure that the heater is off. Then check for dirt and dust in the air-shutter openings and exhaust vents. If you see some dirt or dust, clean it by vacuuming the air passages to the burner and clean the burner of any dirt or lint.
Winterize Your Gardening Tools
Once you have finished your last gardening session, clean and store your tools. Use thin mineral oil to clean certain tools to prevent them from rusting. Store them somewhere in the garage or shed so that they are ready to use when spring comes around.
Store Away Summer Essentials
Clean and store any patio furniture, umbrellas, inflatable pools, and children’s summer toys. For some people, you can also put away your summer clothes.
Touch Up With Paint
Using a wire brush, remove any flaking paint and prime bare wood first. Touch up paint on railings, trim and decks.
