Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for Southern Ohio Homeowners

Fall is one of my favorite times of year in Southern Ohio, but it's also a reminder that colder weather isn't far behind.

A few hours of maintenance now can potentially save you from dealing with much bigger problems in January.

Here are some things I would put on your fall home maintenance list.

Clean Out the Gutters

Once the leaves start falling, gutters can fill up quickly.

Remove leaves, sticks and debris and make sure the downspouts are directing water away from the house.

While you're outside, take a look at the roof for anything obviously damaged or missing.

Check Your Windows and Doors

Walk around the house and check for drafts around windows and exterior doors.

Look at weatherstripping and caulking too.

Small gaps may not seem important in September or October, but you'll notice them once the temperature drops and the heat starts running.

Get the Furnace Ready

Change the filter and consider having your heating system serviced before you actually need it.

The first freezing night isn't a great time to discover that something isn't working.

Disconnect the Garden Hoses

This is an easy one to forget.

Disconnect garden hoses before freezing temperatures arrive and take care of any exterior faucets that need to be winterized.

Check Your Basement or Crawl Space

Look for moisture, plumbing leaks, standing water or anything else that seems unusual.

Pay attention to musty odors too.

Catching a moisture issue early is usually preferable to discovering it after it has caused more damage.

Look at the Trees Around Your House

Southern Ohio has no shortage of trees.

Take a look at the ones surrounding your home, garage and driveway.

Dead or damaged limbs can become a problem during winter wind, snow or ice.

Large limbs and anything near electrical lines should be handled by an appropriate professional.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Test your detectors and replace batteries when needed.

It's a simple job that only takes a few minutes.

Get Your Fireplace Ready

If you use a wood burning fireplace or stove, fall is the time to make sure the chimney is ready for another heating season.

Have it inspected and cleaned when appropriate.

Walk Around Your Property

This sounds simple because it is.

Walk around the outside of your house and actually look at it.

Check the siding, foundation, drainage, deck, porch, exterior faucets and outbuildings.

You know your property better than anyone. If something suddenly looks different, it's worth investigating.

Small maintenance problems tend to be easier and less expensive to address while they're still small.

Planning to Sell Your Southern Ohio Home?

If you're thinking about selling next spring, fall is also a good time to start tackling deferred maintenance.

You don't necessarily need to remodel the house.

Taking care of repairs, cleaning, painting and maintenance now can make preparing for the market much less stressful later.

If you're thinking about selling a home in Southern Ohio and aren't sure which projects are worth doing, I'm happy to take a look and give you my opinion.

Rebecca DeLawder, REALTOR®
Relocation Specialist
ERA Real Solutions Realty
Serving Pike, Ross, Scioto, Jackson and Adams Counties
740-941-7383