Carving pumpkins, choosing a Halloween costume, decorating the front porch, and baking everything apple and pumpkin flavored are just a few of the to-dos on many family’s Fall checklist, but making sure your home and autos are ready for the season are just as important as prepping for those tricker treaters. We get it, no one wants to be unprepared and be the house that gets egged!
For your Auto
Many people forget that car maintenance is also a seasonal task. While making sure the oil gets changed regularly is still an important task, there’s still a lot more on the Fall Checklist.
- Check your battery. Make sure the wires and terminals are tight and there is no corrosion on the contact points. If there is, disconnect the wires, and using a wire brush, clean off the corrosion. If it’s a seasonal vehicle, like a motorcycle, you may want to attach a trickle charger to prevent the battery from going bad.
- Over time, headlights can get cloudy or dirty. Not only do they look bad, but they could be a safety issue. Clean the lens if possible using a restoration kit, or if they seal is cracked, consider replacing them.
- If your tires are already in poor shape (little tread, bubbles or cracks, etc.) you don’t want to put yourself and your family in danger as the temps drop and the threat of frost and ice creep in. Invest in some new all-season tires to improve your traction on the roads.
- These deteriorate quickly and if your windshield is left with streaks of water after using your wipers, it’s time for a new pair. As the days get shorter and more people are driving home from work in the dark, having a clear windshield will help improve your vision and reduce your risk of an accident.
For your Home
Raking leaves as a kid always seemed like so much fun. You create a big pile, jump in them and scatter them everywhere, and then mom and dad piled them back up and bagged them. As an adult, Fall chores are not so fun, however, they are vital in prepping your home for the change in season.
- Once you’re done using them, winterize your yard equipment by adding fuel stabilizer and cleaning out all the gunk from the summer season.
- If you haven’t already, have your heating system cleaned and inspected by a qualified technician.
- Replace any filters in your home – air, furnace, water, etc.
- Turn off water to outside hose spigots or insulate pipes in the danger zone of freezing.
- Check your gutters for debris or damage and clean and repair as needed.
- Check windows and doors for drafts. Caulk or repair as needed.
- Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected by a professional before use.
- Clean your dryer vent – remove the hose from the unit and remove any stuck lint using a dryer brush. Also, thoroughly clean the vent inside the dryer.
- Replace batteries in your smoke detectors if needed and manually perform a safety check. Als,o check expiration dates on any fire extinguishers and replace as needed.
- Prep your yard for snow. Trim back shrubs and bushes, remove leaves, and clearly mark any large rocks, wells, or stones in the yard that could be in danger of being hit by a plow or snowblower.
- Put away or cover any pool equipment or AC equipment that will be left outside. Make sure it’s not in danger of being damaged by any falling snow or ice.
Most of these tasks typically take just a few hours or less to complete and can help you get your home and autos ready for fall, both inside and out. Don’t forget to call us for your furnace maintenance before the cold winter months arrive!
