Fall Property Maintenance Checklist

Fall is a great time of the year to prepare your home and property for the winter months ahead.  Below is a list of general home maintenance tasks that will reduce your risk of damage to your home during the winter months:

• Clean your gutters and downspouts and make sure they are free flowing and securely attached to your home. Please be aware that downspouts are not permitted to discharge to an adjoining property.
• Trim all vegetation away from your home, garage/accessory buildings, and power lines to reduce the risk of damage due to high wind events. Vegetation should also be trimmed back to allow for clear passage of the public sidewalks and clear view of signage. 
• Check the condition of your sidewalks and driveway aprons and replace any damaged blocks or eliminate any trip hazards.
• Make sure that your home’s address is clearly visible from the street to help reduce circulation traffic in your neighborhood and also help emergency responders.
• Check the level of your flower beds or soil around your home. Mulch is recommended to be at least 6 inches below the level of your sill plate. This will reduce the risk of damage to the sill plate.
• Check the conditions of your windows and doors to ensure there are no gaps or leaks.  Caulking windows and doors will reduce drafts and is a great energy saver.
• Check your hose bibs now. Turn off outside water sources and drain the line. This will ensure your outside water lines do not freeze and burst over the winter months.
• Fall is a great time to take an updated group of photographs of the exterior of your home. These photos are very useful in the event your home sustains damage over the winter.
• Now is the time to have your heater serviced. Remember to change the filters on a regular basis to improve the operation of your heater and save yourself money over the course of the winter.
• Fall is the ideal time to have your chimney cleaned and serviced. The installation of a chimney cap is a great way to deter unwanted pests.
• Check your attic and make sure all vents are free from obstructions and operating correctly.
• If your property adjoins a public drainage system and there is any type of debris and/or blockage, please contact us at 215-836-7600.