Fall Home Maintenance Checklist in Cincinnati

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That expression is never more true than in your home, and it’s especially true regarding fall home maintenance. Taking care of your home in the right ways now can save you a bunch of time and money later on. Here are some of the most common issues that are often overlooked when it comes to fall home maintenance.

Gutters

Cincinnati gets hit with more than its fair share of heavy rains and thunderstorms. Clogged, leaking, incorrectly sloped, or improperly routed gutters are responsible for a range of problems. This includes wood rot, ice dams, and water intrusion in lower levels and basements. Cleaning your gutters is a vital part of fall home maintenance. Be sure to also check your downspouts for proper flow and drainage.

Sump Pump

Most folks in the Cincinnati area have a basement. More than likely, you’re going to need to pump ground water out from time to time to ensure your basement doesn’t turn into a swimming pool. That’s why it’s so important to have a  battery backup sump pump. If you have a finished basement but no battery backup system installed, it’s only a matter of time before ground water does serious damage. The cost for these systems are often less than an insurance deductible and provide tremendous peace of mind. Checking your system in the fall will ensure that your home is ready for those snow-melts and rains at winter’s end.

Caulking

Failure to prevent water intrusion into wood trim, doors, windows and other gaps in your home will eventually lead to wood rot and other damage.  One of the most overlooked areas to caulk is your door frame and threshold.  Failure to do so can lead to moisture penetration into door trim, sills, and framing, causing expensive door frame repairs.  Fall is a great time to ensure that your caulking is not worn or cracked. If it is, simply scrape away the old caulk and apply a new bead. This will protect your home well into the winter and beyond.

Weather Stripping

One of the most important parts of fall home maintenance is ensuring your doors and windows are air tight. Doors should have weather stripping applied on both sides and across the top of the door frame. You may also wish to install a door sweep or use a draft stopper.

Windows may need weather stripping along the bottom of the sash to prevent drafts. Other types of insulation, such as felt, may help fill other voids you find in your windows.

Roof Inspection

Most homeowners don’t pay any attention to their roof until it starts leaking.  We recommend a fall roof inspection to find any minor repair needs. This could include damaged shingles, nail pops, and flashing around vent boots and chimneys.  Interior damage is expensive, as is a new roof. Spending a few hundred dollars each year on maintenance will not only extend the life of the roof, but will prevent damage to other parts of the home.

Outdoor Faucets

One of the main causes of a winter basement leak is a failed hose bibb, or outdoor faucet. It takes more than just disconnecting your hose to protect your home. One of the fall home maintenance tasks you should complete before the first freeze is winterizing your exterior faucets. It’s an easy way to prevent a basement disaster from a frozen and burst pipe.

(FYI, our first 32° temperature in Cincinnati usually arrives in the third or fourth week of October, though it has occurred as early as September 27th!)

Insulation

Fall is a great time to check the depth of your attic insulation. Even if you once had the right amount, insulation can compact over time, leaving your home less insulated than it once was. Homes in our area should have an attic insulation rating of R49. That means you should have about 16 inches of cellulose or fiberglass insulation in your attic. The steps to add insulation to your attic are simple, and will save you a ton of money in the long run.

Fall Home Maintenance in Cincinnati

While the above isn’t a comprehensive fall home maintenance checklist, it’s a great head start. Remember, ProMaster Home Repair is a great choice for those who don’t have the time or inclination to perform their own home repair or maintenance. ProMaster staffs a skilled team of professionals who understand that attention to detail, artistry and precise craftsmanship are the keys to success in any home repair or home maintenance project.

Feel free to contact us by phone at 513-322-2914. Or simply use the “Reach Out” form below to inquire abosut how we can help with your fall home maintenance or other repair needs!