We love visiting the pumpkin patch in the Fall!
After living in Houston for most of our childhoods, Ted and I both have a deep appreciation for Fall. It’s that magical moment when the weather cools, and everything smells wonderful—like changing leaves, warm candles, and pumpkin spice lattes. Along with our favorite traditions of apple picking and visiting a pumpkin patch, there are plenty of less fun—but super important— tasks that Fall brings too.
We all know what winter is like in Pittsburgh. Although the city becomes dotted with pretty lights and decorations around the holiday season, winter in Pittsburgh is cold and the days are short. Between these two elements, home maintenance grows especially challenging from November to March.
10-Item Fall Checklist for Home Maintenance
To help you stay on top of your Fall home maintenance, here’s a checklist you can follow (you can also check our previous blog on Fall maintenance for more ideas!):
1. Clean your gutters. Fall means leaves! Although they can be fun for the kids to play in, they also mean potential clogs. If you’re comfortable on a ladder, climb up and remove any pre-existing gunk from your gutters. Hire a professional if you’re uncomfortable.
2. Have your HVAC system checked. If you used air condition over the summer, now’s the time to have it serviced. You also need to ensure your heating system is working properly before those cold winter days hit us. If you have a fireplace, have it inspected and cleaned out, if necessary.
3. Fix any roofing issues. If you have any leaks in your roof, now’s the time to fix them. The winter months can be terrible to a house, and you don’t want any leaks if you’re going to have snow sit on top of your home for months at a time.
4. Take care of your plant life. Now’s a good time to:
Plant bulbs. They’ll be ready to bloom in the spring!
Spread grass seed. It may seem counter-intuitive, but now’s a good time to get your grass seed down. What doesn’t grow over the next few weeks will sprout in early spring.
5. Trim up your trees. Now is the best time to prune old trees because their growth slows in the colder months and they’re less prone to disease. If you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, hire a landscaper to remove any questionable limbs.
6. Check for holes, gaps, and cracks. When the temperatures drop, critters will look for warm places to bunk. Mice and other vermin can access your home through even the smallest spaces, so stroll around your property and look for potential access points. If you find any, you’ll want to patch them before we see temperatures drop.
7. Check outdoor stairs and railings. When the snow inevitably falls, you don’t want to slip and fall. Check your stairs and railings for stability. Stair treads should be firm with little to no give, and railings should hold steady even if you try to pull them back and forth. If you’re unsure, ask yourself this question: “Would I want to walk on this if it was covered in snow?”
8. Clean your dryer vents. Dryer lint can slip by your filter and back up in the vent. This is especially hazardous as static electricity is more common in the cooler months—and static electricity can cause dryer lint to catch fire.
9. Give your heating system a hand. Your HVAC system may be in tip-top shape, but you shouldn’t make it work harder than it has to! You can:
Insulate pipes.
Check windows and door frames for drafts. Caulk or weather strip wherever you see an issue.
10. Stock up on winter supplies. Now’s the perfect time to:
Stock up on salt for sidewalks and driveways.
Check your shovels.
Check your snow plow (and take it in for maintenance, if necessary).
Stock up on emergency supplies (tow ropes, jumper cables, canned goods, water, etc.).
Winter is also a great time to start looking for a new home! If you’d like to see some of the great homes available in Pittsburgh, contact theblocks@theblocksintheburgh.com or 412.926.7976!