Stacey Martin

The leaves start falling, and the weather begins cooling off; this can only mean one thing: It's time to start thinking about home maintenance for fall.

New home upkeep challenges arise as the season changes, and your home needs a little extra TLC to stay in tip-top shape. Here are six home maintenance tips for fall to help you prepare for the cooler weather months ahead.

1. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

One of the most important home maintenance tasks in the fall is cleaning your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and leak into your home, leading to water damage and other problems.

To clean your gutters, you'll need a ladder, a bucket, a pair of gloves, and a hose First, remove any debris from the gutters with your hands or a small shovel. Then, use a hose to flush out the gutters and downspouts and make sure the water is draining properly.

2. Prep Your Lawn

Fall is the perfect time to start thinking about your lawn care routine for next year. Give your lawn a final mow, and rake up any dead leaves and debris. You should also fertilize your lawn to help it stay healthy and green come springtime.

If you have any trees on your property, now is a good time to trim back any dead branches. This will help prevent storm damage

3. Give Your Heating System a Tune-Up

As the weather gets colder, you'll be relying on your home's heating system more and more. To make sure your furnace is in good working order, it's wise to have it serviced by a professional before you need to turn it on for the season.

During a furnace tune-up, a technician will inspect the system, clean any dirty parts, and replace the furnace filter. They'll also make sure all the connections are tight and that there's enough oil in the system. This simple maintenance task can help prevent costly repairs down the road.

4. Inspect Your Central Humidifier

If you have a central humidifier, now is the time to clean it. A humidifier can help improve indoor air quality and make your home more comfortable when the air dries up during the fall and winter, but it's important to keep it clean and free of mold and mildew.

To clean a central humidifier, start by turning off the power and removing the water panel. Then, use a brush or rag to clean the inside of the unit. Rinse it well and let it dry completely before putting it back together

5. Check Your Fire Safety Equipment

As the weather gets colder, you'll be spending more time indoors. You may also be around fire hazards more often, such as candles, fireplaces, and space heaters. Now is a good time to check your home's fire safety features to ensure they work properly.

Start by testing your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they work properly. You should also check your fire extinguisher's expiration date and ensure it's in an easily accessible location.

6. Clean Your Carpets

Carpets and rugs can collect a lot of dirt, dust, and allergens over the course of a year. As you start to spend more time indoors, it's a good idea to give your carpets a deep cleaning.

You can hire a professional cleaning company like The Elite Maids or rent a machine from your local home improvement store. If you're going to clean the carpets yourself, vacuum them thoroughly first and then use a carpet shampooer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you need assistance with any of these fall home maintenance tasks, there's no shame in enlisting professional help. Find out how affordable professional home cleaning services can be by requesting maid estimates in Los Angeles CA, from The Elite Maids today