Fall Cleanup

As the weather starts to turn cooler and your favorite sweater comes out of the closet, it is also time to start thinking of all the things that need to be done before the snow falls. Homeowners need to maintain the areas outside of their homes to ensure damage does not occur from neglect. Look through this check to see all things you will need to get done this fall.

Leaves

When you mention fall clean up, this is what usually comes to mind. Colorful falls leaves look pretty on the trees, but they can become a problem if not taken care of properly. A few leaves on your lawn are fine, but it becomes a problem when you have a thick layer of leaves. This layer creates a barrier that blocks water, nutrients, and air flow. The grass on your lawn uses the cool fall weather to strengthen its root system. If there is a barrier to these important pieces, the grass cannot grow properly. Too many leaves can also be an area for mold and mildew to grow as well as a breeding ground for insects.

There are a couple different ways you can take care of the fallen leaves. If there are not too many, you can use your lawn mower to mulch the leaves into the grass. The mulched leaves can be a good source of nutrients for the grass. If you mulch when there are too many leaves, you will end up with the same problem as when they were whole. You want to avoid creating that barrier. Many people choose to blow their leaves into piles with a leave blower. Others still prefer a rake. Either way you decide to collect leaves, make sure you know how your city picks them up. Some cities collect them from the street while there are others that require you to bag them and put them at the curb for pick up.

Gutters

Another area to pay close attention to is the gutters on your home. As those leaves are falling, they do not all make it to the ground. Many leaves and other debris will end up in your gutters.  To avoid water building up causing damage to your home, you must keep the gutter clear.

Chimney

With the weather turning cooler, you may want to have a fire to take the chill out of the air. Before you have that first fire, it is a good idea to have your chimney looked at by a chimney cleaning service. There can be buildup of creosote or some debris could have found its way inside. They will also look for any cracks in the chimney. Any of these situations could lead to a fire and damage your home.

Tree Trimming

Fall is a good time to prune your trees and shrubs. Cut out any dead branches and make sure the branches are not touching the house or encroaching on the walkways.

Miscellaneous cleanup

There are many smaller jobs to be done also.

• Putting your hose away and draining faucets
• Covering patio furniture or putting it in storage
• Reorganized the garage so you can get the things you need in winter like the snow blower and shovels

Enjoy all the beauty fall brings, but also take some time to maintain your home with these simple fall tasks.