As the season starts to change, it’s a great reminder for homeowners to tackle some important maintenance projects. Getting into a habit with each season can help ensure that all your bases are covered throughout the year. If you’re firming up for maintenance list for fall, here are some items to you may want to add:

Get Appointments on the Calendar

Though you may not be using your heat and fireplace every day right now, fall is the perfect reminder that soon, you’ll want that added warmth. To do so safely, it’s important to ensure that all your heating options are working properly. Getting your heating system inspected by a professional can help you avoid costly issues down the line, and it can prevent you from being without heat in the colder months. It’s also important to have your chimney inspected and cleaned if you plan to have fires this fall and winter. Another appointment you may want to schedule is to have your gutters cleaned. Some homeowners prefer to do this themselves, while others appreciate the ease of simply scheduling with a professional.

Do a Safety Check

It’s easy to get lax in the safety department as a homeowner, and that’s why habitual seasonal checklists can be so important. They help keep you on track with standard safety checks. Though these might seem like small tasks, when left unattended for months or years, problems can arise. Check your dryer vents to ensure that air is able to move freely and isn’t obstructed by dust buildup. Test your smoke alarms and consider replacing the batteries if you haven’t done so in a while. The same goes for carbon monoxide detectors. It’s also important to check your fire extinguisher. Some have expiration dates to help you determine when it’s time to get a new one. If you can’t remember the last time yours has been replaced, it could be time to swap it out.

Consider Energy Efficiency

Fall is a great time to consider how energy efficient your home is. With colder weather on its way, homeowners want to make sure they’re not wasting money due to poor insulation. It’s also important to feel comfortable and warm in your home. If you’re really committed to maximizing efficiency, an energy audit can be a great option to help you get a better sense of how you can improve. If you’re more of a do-it-yourselfer, simple fixes like weatherstripping and door jams can help your house stay warm during the colder months.

Landscape Maintenance

First, it’s important to ensure that all your walkways will be safe, especially in inclement weather. Now is the time to fix any unstable paths or rotting stairs. If snow were to cover your walkway, you want to know there won’t be any hidden dangers underneath. Fall is also the time to tend to trees and shrubs, and it’s especially important to make sure that larger trees and branches aren’t posing a threat to your home. Finally, switching out summer gardens for hartier fall plants is also a great way to transition to the new season.

Do you have any fall maintenance plans for your home? Do you have some regular maintenance tasks you do each year at this time? What would you recommend adding to this list? I’d love to hear what you think!