Fall is a great time to address some of those home improvement and remodeling projects you've been putting off
While it’s best to take on some household tasks or remodeling projects during the long days of spring or summer, fall is the perfect time for many home projects before it gets too cold. Thanks to its comfortable temperatures, this is the season to get things done. Anything that helps prepare your home for winter is important, especially if you live in a cold and snowy place or an area that gets a lot of precipitation.
Many of these fall home renovation tasks can be accomplished in an afternoon or weekend day. Or you can easily hire a local home remodeling contractor or home maintenance professional to do a high-quality job while you take some time to relax.
Getting all the leaves out of the gutters and clearing the way for the winter’s deluge might be downright essential, depending on your climate. That said, gutter maintenance is important for the health of your house no matter where you live, so getting it done during a crisp fall afternoon is a great idea. Autumn is a good time to replace your gutters if that’s necessary as well.
You can also hire a local gutter cleaning service to do the job—they can ensure all leaves and other debris are cleared out before the snow starts falling.
When was the last time you had your roof inspected? If it’s been a while, it might be time to get up on your roof and survey it for missing shingles or other damage. You can even hire a roof inspector near you to check things out.
A roofing company can check the state of your roof, the vents, and the chimney, as well as fix any minor problems like small leaks or missing shingles.
Generally, the same team that performs your roof inspection can make small fixes or recommend a service that can do any necessary roofing work. Keep in mind that if there are major problems or your roof is on the older side, you might want to consider more extensive roofing work or even a roof replacement during the relatively temperate fall weather.
While you’re thinking about the roof, it might also be time to look at the attic or hire a local company to add to or upgrade attic insulation. Insulating or re-insulating your attic can significantly lower your energy costs since the attic is often the place where warm air escapes and cold air seeps in.
During the summer, you likely want to keep unnecessary chemicals off the lawn as kids play or you entertain guests in your yard. Either way, it’s not necessarily the best idea to apply fertilizer treatments until things cool off and outdoor party season winds down, making the beginning of fall a great time to handle any serious lawn care needs.
Depending on your area and inclination towards doing your own lawn maintenance, you can enlist the help of a local lawn fertilizer service or get your hands dirty and apply the fertilizer treatment yourself.
As leaves fall and branches become more exposed, you may notice signs of decay or disease on trees in your yard. Removing a dying tree before winter arrives is crucial because snow or ice can weigh down weak branches, causing them to break and potentially damage your home or property. Plus, clearing out a dead or dying tree now means you’ll have less yard work to do when spring rolls around.
Look for signs like significant bark shedding, cracked or rotting branches, or noticeable fungal growth around the tree’s base. If you’re unsure of when to remove a tree, contact a local tree removal service. They can assess the tree’s health and safely remove it before it becomes a hazard.
Once patio weather and grilling season are over, then you should take the time to clean and re-stain or refinish your deck or patio if need be. This will help protect during the upcoming winter chill, of course, and ensure that you have a beautiful outdoor space for the next spring and summer.
Hiring a local company to refinish your deck or patio can be efficient if you have a larger veranda, but if your outdoor area is small and simple to maintain, you can likely dedicate an autumn day to the project. All it will take is some stain and a few simple tools, and a bit of elbow grease.
If you have wooden siding, such as cedar shakes, then you likely know that it needs to be thoroughly cleaned and refinished every so often. Fall is an ideal time to get it done, and you can hire a local siding company or contractor for the job or consider doing it yourself if you are especially handy.
Moreover, cooler fall weather is ideal for exterior painting and other similar maintenance projects. Temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit and direct or prolonged sunlight exposure can fade, discolor, or otherwise have a detrimental effect on fresh paint or staining.
As the weather cools down, there’s nothing better than gathering around a warm, crackling fire. That’s why fall is the perfect time to inspect and clean out your fireplace to prepare for cozy nights ahead. Over time, soot and debris can build up in your fireplace and chimney, which can become a fire hazard.
Consider scheduling a professional chimney sweep to remove creosote buildup, clean out ashes, and give the firebox a good scrub. You can also find a fireplace inspector near you to give the fireplace a thorough checkup and make any necessary repairs.
If the windows on your home are letting in cold air or otherwise leaving you and your family susceptible to the elements, then it might be time to replace them. Newer, more energy-efficient windows will keep you warmer and help save on heating and cooling costs. Plus, they can add value to the property if you’re thinking about selling soon.
If your home is in a region that gets cold winters, you probably already have a plan in place for getting the house ready for winter.
Things like ensuring the irrigation system for your lawn or garden is properly winterized, re-caulking the windows and doors to seal up any cracks where heat might escape, and checking out the roof and making any needed repairs are all part and parcel of being a responsible homeowner, after all.
