Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for Michigan Homeowners: 7 Things to Do Before Winter
September in Michigan can still feel like summer, but we all know how quickly that can change. One week the windows are open, and the next you're wondering if it's too early to turn on the heat.
Before colder temperatures arrive, early fall is a great time to give your home a little attention. Here are 7 things Michigan homeowners can check now to help prepare their homes before winter shows up.
1. Start With a Walk Around the Outside of Your Home
You don't need to climb onto the roof to spot potential problems. Start from the ground and take a good look around your home.
Look for damaged or missing shingles, damaged siding, worn caulking around windows and exterior doors, and anything else that looks different from the last time you checked. Small exterior issues can be much easier to address before they're dealing with snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
2. Check Your Gutters and Drainage
Fall leaves and Michigan weather can be a rough combination for gutters and downspouts.
Make sure gutters are clear, downspouts are connected and water is being directed away from the house. While you're walking around, look for areas where water collects near the foundation.
Michigan homeowner tip: Good drainage matters year-round, but it's especially worth checking before fall rain, snow and freeze-thaw cycles arrive.
3. Give Your Heating System a Test Run
Don't make the first really cold morning the day you discover your heat isn't working.
Replace your HVAC filter if needed and turn the heat on before you actually need it. Listen for unusual noises and pay attention to strange odors or rooms that aren't heating properly.
If something doesn't seem right, you'll have time to schedule service before your heating system is working overtime.
4. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Fall is also a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries when needed.
As we spend more time indoors and heating systems, fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances come back into regular use, this is one simple home-maintenance task you don't want to overlook.
5. Prepare Your Outdoor Plumbing
Before freezing temperatures arrive, disconnect garden hoses and check exterior faucets and outdoor plumbing.
Taking care of outdoor water sources before a freeze is a simple item to add to your fall routine and can help you avoid discovering a problem in the middle of winter.
6. Check Steps, Walkways and the Area Around Your Home
Take a look at your steps, deck, handrails and walkways. Loose boards, unstable railings and uneven areas are much easier to see and address before they're covered by snow and ice.
Trim branches that are getting too close to your roof or siding, and clear leaves and debris from drains and window wells.
You don't have to tackle everything in one weekend. Pick a handful of priority items and work through them before the weather changes. And when something involves your roof, electrical system, HVAC equipment or a ladder you're not comfortable using, bring in a qualified professional.
7. Plan Ahead for Preventive Home Maintenance
Your home is more than the place you live - it's also a major financial investment.
Routine maintenance can help you catch smaller issues before they become expensive repairs, protect the condition of your home and make homeownership a little less stressful.
That's especially important in Michigan, where a house has to deal with everything from summer heat and thunderstorms to freezing temperatures, snow and ice.
What should Michigan homeowners do before winter?
At a minimum, homeowners should check their roof and exterior, clear gutters and downspouts, make sure water drains away from the foundation, test their heating system, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, prepare exterior plumbing for freezing temperatures, and inspect outdoor steps and walkways.
A little preventive work in the fall can make your home safer, more comfortable and easier to maintain throughout the colder months.
A Note from HomeLoans
We spend a lot of time helping people buy homes, but homeownership doesn't stop at the closing table.
Part of owning a home is protecting what you've worked hard to purchase. Whether you're already a homeowner or you're thinking about buying your first home in Michigan, understanding the ongoing costs and responsibilities of homeownership is just as important as understanding the mortgage.
Have questions about buying a home or your current mortgage? We're always happy to help.
