The Must-See Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Do you own your home or rental property? If you’re interested in avoiding repairs that could cost you lots of time and money down the line...then keep reading!

At Robert C. White & Company, we’ve managed hundreds of homes throughout the winter. We know from that experience, that a fall maintenance check is critical, and saves our owners money when the seasons change! Those that choose to hold off on preventative maintenance will spend more on repairs and have more problems when the frost does eventually hit. That’s because winter brings the cold, ice, rain, snow, sleet, and wind. All of these elements can severely damage a property if you’re not careful, which is why we put this checklist together. A well-prepared homeowner that inspects during the fall can save themselves the hassle and increased cost of dealing with repairs during winter. 

Use this checklist over the next few weeks to prepare your property for FREEZIN’ SEASON! 🥶

Outdoor Checklist

• Inspect the Roof - Check your entire roof for leaks, holes, broken shingles. Repair and patch the areas of concern and seal correctly. We don’t want frozen water to get inside!
• Inspect and Clean Gutters - Grab your ladder and clear out your gutter system and downspouts. Remove leaves and debris so water can travel freely. 
• Windows and Doors - Inspect the outer seals for all doors and windows on the home. Caulk/replace weather stripping where necessary. Install storm windows or external doors and remove unnecessary screens. 
• Driveway/Walkway/Patio - Inspect for cracks and breaks in concrete/pavement and patch as necessary. 
• Siding - Check siding around the exterior of the home, replace or repair any missing pieces to keep out water and ice. 
• Outdoor Faucets - Turn off the outdoor water source. Drain water from hoses and sprinkler systems to prevent freezing and cracks. If necessary, insulate outdoor faucets.
• Trim Trees and Large Plants - Frozen temperatures mixed with ice and snow build-up can cause loose branches to fall easily. Trim and discard any low hanging limbs. 
• Secure Snow/Ice Removal Tools or Outside Servicing - Make sure you have the right tools and equipment to handle ice and snow at your property during the winter months. Or, secure an outside service to get it done for you!

Indoor Checklist

• Test and Service Furnace - If you haven’t turned the heat on yet, you may be crazy...but test your furnace and complete regular maintenance to the system. 
• Windows and Doors - Inspect the inner seals for all doors and windows on the home. Caulk/replace weather stripping where necessary.
• Fireplace and Chimney Cleaning - Have chimney flue cleaned and cleared if necessary. Test your fireplace is working correctly and smoke venting properly.
• Wrap Exposed Pipes to Prevent Freezing - If you have pipes running through your basement or garage that is unheated, it may be smart to wrap the exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing!
• Add Insulation to Garage/Basement/Attic - Consider adding insulation to the garage, basement, or attic space to retain heat in the property and save you or your tenant’s monthly heating cost. 
• Replace Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries - Check to make sure they are working correctly, replace batteries where necessary.
  
  

Doing-It-Yourself
Doing your best to take care of these home maintenance items before winter will save money in the long run and will allow you to get as much life out of each aspect of the home. This is especially true if you can do-it-yourself, as there are many helpful tutorials and videos on the internet to get you by with minor maintenance projects! If you ever feel like 

Robert C. White & Co. Peace of Mind: Inspections, Reporting, & Analysis

Following a checklist like this helps keep your property running efficiently and prevents issues from snowballing! At Robert C. White and Company we conduct inspections at least twice a year so we can keep a watchful eye on the properties we manage. We also provide detailed reporting and analysis so our owners can see how their investment is performing month after month, year after year. 

If you’re in the market for property management services give our Rental Property Advisor a call today at (860) 200-3331 to request a FREE RENTAL ANALYSIS or CUSTOM QUOTE!