Don’t Fall Behind on Fall Maintenance

After enjoying a long, hot summer, you might be ready for the cooler weather brought on by fall. But in between your favorite autumnal activities, it’s important that you take some time to prepare your home for the upcoming winter weather. 

If you’re one of the lucky homeowners who trusted Logan Homes with your house, you won’t have to worry about many of the items listed below (although it’s never too early to conduct preventative maintenance). However, if you currently reside in an older or less-than-high-quality home, it’s best to follow these tips so you can rest assured you’ve taken the precautions needed to protect your home and your family from cold-weather inconveniences and expensive damages.  

Keep the cold air (and moisture) out 

A thorough check around your home’s exterior can reveal cracks in draft-prone areas like windows and doors. Adding weather stripping or sealing exterior caulk to those spots are a cost-effective way to cut down on heating costs and keep moisture out of your home. Pro-tip: caulk flows easiest when the weather is nice, so get this task done before the temperature drops. 

Care for your landscaping  

Fall is the perfect time to get your yard and landscaping ready for winter. Trees need extra attention, so look for signs of poor health like noticeable differences in leaf colors or fall patterns and dead branches. Trees that are unhealthy should be removed or pruned to prevent them from causing damage to your home (specifically the roof) during winter storms. 

As for lawn care, it’s important to rake fallen leaves throughout the fall to keep grass healthy enough to grow in the spring. 

Inspect your roof and gutters

Grab your ladder (and recruit a spotter) to safely make your way to the roof for an inspection—or hire a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself. Look out for cracked, curled, buckled or missing shingles and replace them immediately. While some stains are just cosmetic, mosses or other growths could signify decay that you can’t see.   

While you’re up there, clear out gutters that are clogged. Once autumn hits, those pretty leaves falling from your trees end up in gutters, posing a major threat to the drainage of your home if left cluttered. Back on the ground, clear out any downspouts and check for damaged pieces to replace before winter. 

Analyze your HVAC system 

Now that your home is prepped and ready to keep the cold air outside, it’s time to focus on the warm air inside. The last thing you want to wake up to on the first chilly morning is an equally chilly house—or worse, a frozen pipe. Conduct a visual inspection on your HVAC system: check for physical damage and clean the area around it. Then, change the filter. A dirty filter can cause major damage to the system and rack up your heating bills.

Replace batteries in detectors 

A quick peek at your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors takes only a few minutes and are a priceless way to keep your family safe and healthy. It’s suggested that homeowners replace batteries in the detectors twice a year, so avoid the infamous chirp of a low-battery warning and set a reminder to do it again in six months. 

Check out your fireplace and chimney

A favorite cold-weather pastime can often involve your gas-burning fireplace. Before you fire it up for the first time this season, grab a flashlight and peek inside the flue to make sure the damper is in proper working order and clear of debris (like bird’s nests or leaves). 

Find your dream home 

Maintenance and repairs on older homes are not just expensive, but time-consuming. Why not invest your time and money into the new-construction home of your dreams, instead? Logan Homes has been building homes in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia for decades, and we know just what goes into lasting, quality construction. In addition, our homes come with a superior warranty—offering peace-of-mind knowing you won’t have to worry about the expensive repairs that are so often necessary in a previously used home.

Whether you’re looking for a quick move-in home to reside in by winter or want to be a part of the design and building process from day one, Logan has the available inventory, sought-after communities and functional floors plans to get you in a home that will meet every need. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call or text at 910-507-2115 today.