Fall Maintenance Checklist for New Homes

With the changing leaves and crisp air comes the beginning of fall. The adjustment from summer to fall can be exciting and grueling all at the same time. As a new homeowner, you may be faced with the challenge of trying to navigate your way through all of the necessary seasonal maintenance that is required to prepare for the winter months. To make the transition easier, we’ve rounded up the ultimate checklist to help you prepare.

Indoor Maintenance

• Deep clean each room in your house: Give each room in your house a thorough cleaning and make sure that everything is working properly. A few key things to remember to do is to change any burnt-out bulbs in the light fixtures, wash the walls and baseboards, empty out the garbage cans, and dust each room.
• Give the kitchen some extra attention: The kitchen is usually the most used room in the house. Take some extra time to give it a deep clean including wiping out the inside of the oven and microwave, vacuum the refrigerator coils, and degrease the range hood.
• Schedule a furnace inspection: Before you turn on the heat for the first time this fall, take the proper precautions to make sure your furnace is safe to use. Schedule an appointment to have a professional make sure your furnace is working properly.
• Clean out the dryer vent: This is commonly missed in new homes, however, it’s essential for your family’s safety. Lint buildup happens fast and will cause your dryer to work less efficiently. It can also cause a fire if it isn’t checked regularly. It’s fairly easy to clean out the vent yourself with a vacuum. If you’d prefer, you can do a quick online search and hire a Bucks County duct cleaning specialist to do it for you. Either way, this item shouldn’t be missed.
• Test safety detectors: While you’re completing your fall maintenance checklist, it’s the perfect time to make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Stock up on batteries while you’re at it so you can easily replace them when needed.
• Remove A/C units: If you have any window A/C units, remove them or cover the exterior of the unit with insulated wrap.

 Exterior & Outdoor Maintenance

• Organize the garage: Before you pack away and store all of your summer furniture, tools and supplies, make sure your garage is cleaned out. Sweep and clean all the dirt, mothballs, and dust away. Add a few shelves to your new home so you’ll be able to easily locate all your spring and summer items when you need them.
• Cover the patio furniture: While you’re cleaning out your garage, make room to store your outdoor furniture set so it’s protected from the elements. If you’d prefer to keep it outdoors, get a protective covering or tarp to avoid any damage. Also, make sure to remove any cushions or pillows and keep in a warm, dry place until you’re ready to pull them out again next spring.
• Water and fertilize the lawn: Although your grass doesn’t grow as quickly in the fall, your lawn will still need to be watered. This is the perfect time to fertilize as well since it needs water to help soak into the ground. Taking the time to tend to your lawn will help protect it for a beautiful result in the warmer months. Be sure to shut off the water outside and drain your hoses so they do not freeze/get damaged.
• Tend to your plants, shrubs and trees: Give all of your plants a good trim before winter arrives. This will prevent them from getting damaged from heavy snowfall and avoid any harm to your new home. Clean out your flower beds, remove dead annuals, and mulch your perennials so they’re able to grow back well in the spring.

Pre-Winter Preparation Checklist 

As you check items off your fall maintenance prep list, keep in mind that winter is right around the corner. To make sure your new home is ready for the first snowfall, there are a few additional items that you’ll need to complete so you’re prepared ahead of time.

• Take inventory of your snow removal supplies: Make sure that your snow shovel, blower and ice scrapers are all working properly before the first snowfall so that you will have time to make any required repairs or purchase new equipment if needed.
• Have rock salt on hand: The last thing you want to do during a snowstorm is venture outside. If you absolutely need to, have a couple of bags of rock salt on hand to avoid any accidents on slippery surfaces.
• Stock up on firewood: If you have a fireplace, make sure that you have plenty of firewood to get you through the cold months. You’ll be thankful that you prepared ahead of time, especially on those chilly nights in Bucks County.
• Consider winter safety: Make sure that your outdoor walkways and stairs are clear of any debris or damage that may be considered hazardous when covered with snow. Also, make sure that your railings are properly secured so they’re easy to hold onto when going up and down the stairs in severe weather conditions.

The changing of the seasons is a perfect time to start anew. If you’ve been on the search for a fresh start, look no further. Hallmark Homes Group builds innovatively designed, Energy Star-certified homes and goes the extra mile to take care of clients to make sure they find a place to call home that they can cherish forever. Our Hallmark team is eager to expand your vision and make your dreams a reality.