The first day of fall has come and gone which means you’re already behind when it comes to starting fall maintenance projects around your home. To ensure you get everything done before the winter months roll in (and they will roll in), we’ve shared a fall home maintenance checklist by John Riha for HouseLogic.com. Now, get to it!
- Stow the mower: Gas left in an unused mower will slowly deteriorate, which can damage internal engine parts. To prevent gas from degrading, add fuel stabilizer to your gasoline to keep spare gas in good condition over the winter. Be sure to run the mower for five minutes to make sure the stabilizer reaches the carburetor before putting it away for the winter.
- Don’t be a drip: Remove home garden hoses from outdoor faucets in the fall. Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and pipes just inside the exterior walls. That water could freeze, expand and crack the faucet or pipe when temperatures drop. You should also shut off valves on water supply lines that lead to exterior faucets to guard against minor leaks that may let water enter the faucet, says Riha.
- Put your sprinkler system to sleep: Riha says now is the time to drain your irrigation system by turning off the water to the system, shutting off the automatic controller, opening drain valves to remove water from the system, and removing any above ground sprinkler heads and shaking water out of them. If you don’t have drain valves, hire an irrigation professional to clear the pipes with compressed air.
- Seal the deal: Riha recommends grabbing tubes of color-matched exterior caulk and sealing up cracks on the exterior of the home between trim and siding, around window frames and doors, and where pipes enter the house. Make sure temperatures are above 50 degrees so caulk flows easily, advises Riha.
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