5 Tips on Getting your Home Ready for Fall

Your home requires preparation for each season, especially if you reside in an area of the country that actually experiences all of the seasons. In the fall, you’re likely to have more falling leaves and tree limbs to deal with, but those leaves can help protect your lawn during the winter. Start preparing your home for fall in early October.

Check Lower Levels and Exterior Foundations for Moisture

Failures in your foundation can occur from shifts in the foundation or changes to the soil in the area. If you have any moisture in the lower levels of your home, seal the entire lower level. Now, you can do this yourself by just using liquid Flex-Seal and painting the walls in white or light gray.

The good thing is, you can paint over Flex Seal, and it is just a temporary solution until you have the thousands of dollars to make the necessary repairs.

Inspect the Roof and Chimney

Check to make sure the flashing around the chimney is secure and that there are no broken bricks or cracks in the mortar. Check the shingles or roofing material in-place to make sure it is not ripped, bubbling, or that any parts are missing. Any of the peaks of the house that have discoloration signifies that water is sitting there; consider using stainless steel strips to create flashing or drainage to stop further damage.

Inspect Gutters

Make sure that your gutters all have a secure connection to the house and to each section. In places where there is a crack or separation, you can use the liquid or spray Flex Seal to fix it. Zip ties are not a good option for keeping your gutters in place.

Inspect Windows and Doors for Broken Seals

This is the easiest thing to test. Get a large cup of soapy water and a paintbrush. Brush the soapy water around all of your window seals, inside and out. If you see bubbles, there is a leak. For doors, you will just check to see if you can see sunlight or feel any drafts. Windows and doors should be replaced if there are any noticeable leaks.

You can use weather stripping or transparent weather strip tape on your windows to buy you more time to replace windows.

HVAC Inspection and Duct Cleaning

Your HVAC system should be inspected twice annually, in the spring and in the fall. At the same time, you should have your ducts cleaned, as hot air will be pumping through them. Debris in your ducts can cause a fire. The technician will provide an HVAC performance report and alert you of any repairs that should be completed for increased efficiency.

Make a checklist and cross items off as inspections are completed. Many of these weatherizations are things that you can do yourself, without having to hire a contractor. Your local home improvement store likely has weatherproofing workshops that you can attend. These teach you how to make the fixes yourself.

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Photo Credit: Adobe/ Karen Roach

When do you start weatherproofing your home for fall?