Top 10 Fall Maintenance Tasks from a Home Inspector

What a summer it’s been! Here in Minnesota, we’ve had our fair share of heavy rain and sweltering heat. But alas, fall is right around the corner—and getting your home ready before the snow flies is essential. Maybe you noticed a few issues this summer and put off addressing them. Now’s the perfect time to take care of those projects. Let’s dive in: here are the top 10 fall home maintenance tasks in Minnesota every homeowner should tackle before winter arrives.

1) Clean/Inspect Gutters & Downspouts

Gutters are an incredible invention. They gather rain from the roof and direct it down away from the home. There are a few things though that can cause your gutters to not work properly. The main issue we find is that gutters are full of debris. A clogged gutter is a non-working gutter and could lead to freezing/potential ice dams. Some may say, “Jake, I have gutter covers so I don’t need to clean the gutters out.” Gutter covers do work well, but gutters can still collect silt and some debris. At minimum take a hose and spray them out. Next you want to make sure your gutters are sealed properly and are sloped towards the downspouts. If your gutters are not properly sloped or are leaking you’re essentially just kicking yourself in the shins. Finally, make sure the downspout extensions are between 6-8 feet away from the foundation. This can be tricky in certain situations, but do your best to keep the water away from the home and any walkways/stairs.

2) Inspect Roof & Flashing

If possible, inspect your roof for any potential loose, missing, or damaged shingles. If the roof has any type of damage to the coverings those are potential entry points for moisture and pests. If you are not able to climb onto the roof or are uncomfortable doing so, give us a call and we would be happy to help. While inspecting the roof, look at all of the flashings around any roof intrusions. Flashing is material wrapped around a penetration (think chimney, plumbing waste vent, exhaust vents, or skylights) to divert water away from the intrusion and prevent any from entering the home. Gaps or damage to flashing could lead to moisture into the attic/home. 

3) Seal Gaps/Cracks Around Windows and Doors

One major point of heat loss from a home is insufficient weatherstripping and sealant around windows and doors. Weatherstripping is either made of rubber or foam. It is placed in areas where the window or door touches the frame and helps prevent moisture intrusion and energy loss. Over time these areas tend to compress and wear out causing them to become ineffective. An area that is often neglected in this same vein is the caulking or sealant around the window/door seals. Anywhere air could get into the home is also a place where air could get out of the home. 

4) Service the Heating System

There is nothing much worse than on a cold night finding out your furnace has stopped working properly. A great way to make sure that this doesn’t happen is to have a licensed HVAC professional come out/inspect and service the heating system. Not only could your heating system be wasting money it could also be creating too much carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless gas that is produced when any fuel type (natural gas, gasoline, propane, oil, wood, etc.) is burned and all the fuel is not consumed. It is quite deadly as hundreds of people die each year. Something that is easy for homeowners to do is change the filter on your heating system. These should be replaced every 1-2 months (for 1”- 2” filters) or 3-6 months (for 3”- 4” filters). If you are unsure about how often you should change your filter, talk with an HVAC professional when they come to service your heating system. 

5) Inspect Chimney & Fireplace

If you have a fire place, whether its gas or wood burning be sure to have your fireplace inspected for any potential damage within the flue and fire box. Get it cleaned if there is creosote build up. There are over 4,000 home fires annually that are caused by fireplace or chimney defects. Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. We tell our clients that if they are planning on using their wood burning fireplace to have it cleaned and inspected yearly or every 50 burns, whichever comes first. If you have a gas fireplace they too require maintenance. An improperly running gas fireplace could cause damage to your home, cause energy waste and potentially carbon monoxide leaking.

6) Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The state of Minnesota requires that every sleeping room must have a smoke detector within 6 feet of the door either on the ceiling or wall directly adjacent to the door no less than 12” from the ceiling. It is also required to have a carbon monoxide detector within 10 feet of every bedroom (note: one carbon monoxide detector may be used for multiple rooms as long as this requirement is met). Please read the installation instructions for all detectors. Keep in mind that most smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have a 7-10 year life expectancy. If you aren’t sure when they were installed, it might be a good idea to replace them. Check out our previous blog about smoke detectors.

7) Drain & Winterize Outdoor Plumbing

Be sure to turn off, disconnect, drain your outside faucets and hose bibs. It is also a good idea to turn the water off to all outdoor faucets to help reduce the risk of your pipes breaking due to freezing. You might also consider covering the outdoor portion of your plumbing to better protect them especially if you live in an older home. If you have an inground sprinkler system be sure to schedule your end of season blow out and shut down. 

8) Check Attic & Insulation

If you are able to inspect your attic take a peek up there to see if there are any signs of leaks, pests, or potentially insufficient insulation. Generally we are looking for insulation over the 10” mark depending on the type of insulation present. Proper insulation not only improves energy efficiency but also helps prevent ice dams that form when warm air escapes into the roof. 

9) Inspect Exterior Walkways, Steps, and Driveways

Anywhere there is a gap or crack in ground work (walkways, steps, and driveways) is a point of potential water intrusion and erosion. If left unchecked, these areas could cause trip hazards or damage to surrounding areas. They could also become areas of ice buildup and become a safety hazard. If there are cracks found, seal them with a proper exterior sealant. 

10) Clean Dryer Vents

One often overlooked chore is cleaning the dryer vent. Lint buildup in vent ducts is a leading cause of house fires. Before the snow flies is a perfect time to make sure your dyer is properly cleaned and working well. 

Final Thoughts

Taking care of these fall maintenance tasks could save you money, protect your home and give you peace of mind heading into winter. If you are not sure where to start or would like help with some of these tasks, check out a Routine Home Maintenance Plan like Marigold Home Services.