With summer temperatures starting to cool down, now is the perfect time to get your home ready for cold weather. There are a number of things that should be done this time of year, both outside and inside the home. Get started on your home with our fall maintenance checklist.

Lawn and Garden

Avoid damage and get your yard ready for next year by making sure you put everything to bed for the winter.

• Rake up your leaves. Don’t “leaf” your lawn covered up come winter! A heavy covering of leaves can suffocate your grass. Instead, compost the leaves or use them as mulch in your garden.
• Care for perennials. Take advantage of the cooler weather and relocate or divide your perennials. When prepping your plants for winter, mulch around the plants (but not over the tops) to help them weather the storms.
• Prune trees and shrubs. Fall is an ideal time to prune away dead branches. Pruning your trees will prevent dead branches from falling over the winter.
• Winterize your sprinkler systems and hoses. In case the metroplex gets a harsh freeze this winter, take this step just to be safe. Turn off valves to outdoor water and store hoses in the garage.

Exterior

With winter weather not far off, it’s important to make sure your home has its game face on. Check these problem areas to ensure your home’s exterior can withstand the coldest days ahead.

• Clear your gutters. Check your gutters for blockages caused by fallen leaves and other debris, and free up drainage before the winter weather hits.
• Block critter crevices. Check the exterior of your house for any openings where animals could gain access to your home, such as gaps in the siding and spaces under the porch.
• Check and repair roof and siding. When sleet and slush hit Dallas in the winter it can be quite hard on the exterior of your home. Take advantage of mild fall weather to complete any repairs to your roof and siding, and seal your home up before winter weather hits.
• Inspect walkways, patios, and driveways. Fall is also a good time to check out your concrete, stone, and other outdoor surfaces. Winter weather may cause any loose, broken, or cracked pieces to worsen, so take care of any issues now.

Interior

Even indoors, there are some helpful tasks that are good to take care of in the fall. Here are a few things to add to your to-do list.

• Check windows and doors for drafts. As the weather cools down, inspect your windows and doors for gaps that could let the cold in. Seal any problem areas with weatherstripping.
• Clean your dryer vents. Dryer vents should be cleaned out periodically, as a buildup of lint could cause the dryer not to work as well, or even start a fire. Clean the vents yourself by unhooking the hose and using a vacuum attachment, or for the best results, have it done professionally.
• Check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Replace the batteries in all of your home’s carbon monoxide and smoke detectors once a year in the fall, and check to make sure they are functioning properly.
• Schedule maintenance for heating equipment. It’s been a while since you turned the heat on in your home! For safety and performance, get your furnace or other heating system inspected and tuned up now.

Spring cleaning gets the most air time, but fall shouldn’t be ignored. Taking care of these maintenance items in the fall will protect your home inside and out this year.