It’s that time of the year, we need to start tidying up the yard and getting things put away in preparation for that dreaded season we love to hate… or hate to love… funny how that works, right?
Enjoy this step by step guide to tackling those dreaded fall clean-up duties in baby-steps. That way, you can still enjoy the last of our warm summer days and upcoming crisp autumn mornings.
Deep clean your yard before the leaves completely drop
Wait, what?!
Yes. It sounds strange, but it helps overall – leaving less of a major clean up later on when the inevitable shedding of the trees happens and there’s a literal tornado of color moving across the lawn. Deadhead the flowers, cut back the ones which have passed, and tie up/back ones which need it. This prep work helps a lot too when early snow hits – we’re not rushing to try and get our gardens “put to bed” at the last minute.
Check out your gutters
Take a quick peep at your gutters, see if they’re still in good shape. Are they looking bound up? Clogged? Are they in good condition, or are they looking like they’re needing to be replaced? Maybe it’s time to place a call before the snow flies to get them upgraded. Why is this important?
Gutters help keep the water-flowing away from your foundation, keeping it drier by diverting elsewhere, keeping your basement dry. When gutters fail, you could be looking at some pretty costly repairs such as foundation cracks, water penetration and flooded basements. Clogged gutters also contribue to ice dams in the winter, so do yourself a favor, and keep ’em clean!
Inspect your roof & chimney
This is one you’ll want to get up close and personal to inspect, seeing as it can’t be done by just viewing from afar. (like your gutters) You want to make sure maintenance on your roof and chimney (if you have a fireplace/ wood/ pellet stove) is current and safety is in tip top shape. Your roof is essentially the most important, because if you can’t keep out the weather, it’s going to get inside and create all kinds of havoc and dangerous situations.
Make sure your shingles are in good condition, none are broken or missing. Look for signs of deterioration, such as asphalt granules around the roofline, lifted or twisted shingles, and exposed nails. It’s more cost effective to care for a roof than replacing one. Also, pay attention to the trim boards and siding around the roofline, as it’s a common spot for rot. Touch up any peeling paint to keep water out.
Trim back any overhanging branches from trees which are growing around your home, because a lot of the detritus from their natural shedding can decay and cause rotting issues in the long term. This also helps prevent pesky rodents from using those said trees to access your home from higher up – there’s no “superhighway” for them to use. If there is no way for them to travel, they ultimately cannot get in.
Lastly, you want to make sure your chimney is in good shape. Make sure there are no gaps or decay in the mortar and the bricks are stable. If there is weakness or structural damage, call a masonry expert to come in and get an estimate on what it would cost to make the repairs. Again, this is something you’d want to fix before the cold of winter sets in – you’re going to need the heat, and can you really afford to not use your wood/pellet stove in the meantime? It’s also a good idea to have a chimney sweep come in and give that system a good once over to remove any creosote build-up. Chimney fires are extremely dangerous, but so easy to prevent! Don’t forget to make sure your chimney has a chimney cap, too!
Clean out your dryer vents
This seems so mundane, but trust us – most people forget these are even there!
Sure, you’ve got that lint trap in your dryer – but there’s another one which vents out of your house as well. It’s important to clean these out on a regular basis, and the changing of the seasons is one of these times. Dryer vents are the leading cause of house fires. While you’re at it, ensure you have a rigid dryer vent, not one of those accordion aluminum ones. They droop, collect lint and contribute to the fire risk.
Stake out your yard for plowing
Get those driveway markers in the ground before Thanksgiving!
Don’t wait until the ground freezes to put the stakes in, that’s not a fun project to scramble on. Also, take the time now to get bids if you hire someone to handle your plowing. See who your neighbors have and if they like them.
Bonus Tip: Some companies will do better pricing when their client’s driveways are all adjacent.
Order & stack your heating fuel
If you have a wood or pellet stove, chances are you need to get your fuel sooner than later. It’s too late now to order “green” wood, so make sure you order seasoned.
We like to save money by ordering “green” wood in the spring and seasoning it for the upcoming winter. It can be about 10-25% cheaper than seasoned. Burn pellets? Order a pallet and get it delivered. If this is your first season burning with one, talk to your local stove shop about how much they recommend.
Consider getting an energy audit
This is the best time of year to have an energy company come out and audit your home for efficiency. As the weather cools, they can find out where your home is losing heat and help you make a plan to close up those drafty spots. If you need insulation, programs like Efficiency Maine will subsidize the cost of installing insulation, so it’s worth looking into!
Put out your fall decorations
This is the fun part!
Whether it’s cute, chic, cozy, spooky or simple – go ahead and decorate, but not until after the Autumn Solstice! If you want to send Catherine insane, welcome Fall during Summer (which is any day before the solstice). And who can blame her? With Dunks and Starbucks releasing pumpkin spice in AUGUST somebody has to fight for Fall!
Did we miss any Fall tips you’d like to see featured? Comment below! As Always, if you need a recommendation for contractors for any of these projects, give us a call. We’ll help you find the right man for the job.