Summer is coming to a close and fall is here! With the changing season comes beautiful leaf colors, pumpkin-everything, and cooler temps. It’s the perfect time to prepare your home for winter, and tackle some needed home maintenance. By taking a few proactive steps now, you can ensure your home remains safe, warm, and efficient all season long. Here’s a list of fall maintenance tips to help you get started.
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Fall Home Maintenance Tasks
Change Your Air Filters
We recommend changing out your furnace filter every 2-3 months to keep the air quality, and air flow, in your home efficient. But just in case you’ve missed a month, put this on your list to change out asap. Go to our shop for replacement filters if you already own one!
It’s also the perfect time to check and replace the filters in your air purifiers if you have them. If you don’t already own one, consider the Austin Air Healthmate Plus Purifier - our favorite and the one we have throughout our own home! The Healthmate Purifier removes up to 99.97% of airborne contaminants, including mold spores, and is a perfect addition to your home. As we spend more time indoors during the fall and winter, maintaining high air quality with a reliable purifier is essential for a healthier living environment.
Inspect and Clean Gutters
Remove leaves and debris from gutters to prevent clogging and potential water damage. Ensure that downspouts are directing any water away from the home. Also make sure the ground around your house is sloping away not towards it. Also, when you rake your leaves, don’t compost all of them, leave them in small piles in the back or side of your property for birds and critters to use as nests to keep warm.
Seal Windows and Doors
Another important fall home maintenance task? Sealing any drafty windows and doors. Apply weatherstripping and AFM Safecoat Caulk to seal gaps and improve energy efficiency. Plus, by sealing with caulk from AFM Safecoat, you are choosing a healthier, non-toxic product for your family's home. Also, clean them with Benefect Decon 30, it’s antimicrobial and a disinfectant.
Contact us to order caulk from AFM Safecoat!
Have Your Furnace or Heat Pump Serviced and Cleaned
Getting your furnace or heat pump/mini split serviced is a must to add to your fall home maintenance tasks if it’s not already on there! Doing so keeps your system in good health. A good schedule is to make sure ducts are sealed and cleaned every two years.It should be free from mold, debris and elevated at least 5 inches on blocks to help drain. Make sure the drain hose is not touching the ground and is at an angle. Listen to my podcast for more information. We just did this and discovered mold on the fan blades, and the test from the lab confirmed it after only 8 months since the last cleaning. Stay tuned for the best ways to maintain and clean your mini splits without chemicals that keep mold at bay.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test each one to ensure these important devices are working properly.
Clean the Dryer Vent and Disinfect the Washer
Lint buildup can be a huge fire hazard! Clean the dryer vent to make sure there is the proper air flow, and no clogs.
If you have a front load washer, make sure you clean your seal with Benefect Decon 30. Leave your washer door open and dry the seal after each use. You may need to get the seal replaced if the mildew or mold doesn’t come clean.
Use Natural Pest Control Methods
Fall is when pests start seeking warmth indoors. Instead of using chemical-laden pesticides, opt for natural pest control solutions like diatomaceous earth, essential oils or plants (such as peppermint or lavender) to keep unwanted critters at bay. You can also use non-toxic traps and a boric acid, sugar, water mixture for ants
Inspect Insulation
Check the attic and basement for proper insulation. Add insulation to any areas that may need it to keep your home warm and reduce energy costs. You can opt for non-toxic insulation, contact us for a list of healthy ones! Avoid spray foam insulation at all costs. If installed incorrectly, it can create new chemicals that adhere to every surface. Listen to my podcast interviewing a client who had this happen. It is also one of the biggest VOC issues we see in our lab testing results.
Check Indoor Air Quality Levels
When cooler months come, more windows and doors will be shut. This leads to potentially higher C02 levels if your home doesn’t have a fresh air ventilation system. It’s also a great time to check for humidity and VOCs. Get our favorite indoor air monitor here. If you haven’t tested your home’s air quality and think there might be something that needs to be identified or improved, grab our VOC test kit, it tests for over 500 different chemicals and we consult with you on what to do next.
If you’ve been curious about bettering your home’s indoor air quality, contact us to learn more about a heat recovery ventilation system. High levels of CO2 can affect cognitive abilities, especially in seniors and children. HRVs are ventilation devices that create better indoor air quality by continuously replacing the stale indoor air with outdoor air. Allowing for cleaner, healthier air!
Stock Up on Winter Essentials
If you live in an area that has a potential for snow - make sure you know where your snow shovels are and you stock up on emergency kits, both in your home and in your car. Now is also a great time to stock up on natural remedies as well as epsom salts, hot water bottles, cozy winter socks and slippers, wool blankets and of course organic teas.
Preparing for a Change in Seasons
As you prepare for the cozy months ahead, completing these Fall Home Maintenance tasks will help ensure that your home is safe, energy-efficient, and comfortable all season long. Taking the time to check off these essential fall home maintenance tasks now not only protects your home from potential issues but also creates a healthier living environment for you and your family. By staying proactive and mindful of both traditional and non-toxic solutions, you can enjoy the beauty of the fall season without the worry of unexpected home repairs. Embrace the changing season with a well-maintained home that’s ready to keep you warm and secure throughout the winter months.
