Fall Maintenance Checklist

Changing colors, football games, and moderate weather – it’s hard not to love Wisconsin in the fall. Before it gets too cold outside, take advantage of getting your house in shape for the winter months ahead.

Exterior Maintenance

• Check the foundation for cracks and caulk around the areas where pipes or wires enter the house and around window and door frames to prevent heat from escaping.
• Install storm windows and doors.
• Check the exterior walls of the house for chipped paint, which is a sign that it can no longer protect the siding of the building.
• Weather-strip your garage to prevent drafts and keep out small animals.

Interior Maintenance

• Schedule an appointment to have your furnace checked and serviced to avoid potential problems when you need your heat the most.
• Test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.
• Check basement windows for drafts, loose frames, or cracked panes.
• Clean your humidifiers to prevent bacteria growth.
• Clean out your air conditioner to prevent rusting.

Yard and Garden

• Rake the leaves from your lawn.
• Prune plants and trees.
• Organize your garage and clean and store your summer gardening tools.
• Check to see that your snow equipment is up-and-running
• Drain garden hoses and store them inside.
• Turn off your sprinkler system.
• Inspect and fill bird feeders.

Porch and Deck

• Check the supports, stairs, and railings to make sure they can support someone when it’s covered with snow or ice.
• Clean porch and deck furniture and store it in a protected area.
• Empty soil from all pots and planters.

If you come across a problem and need assistance, call Callen at 414-765-2585 to schedule a no-obligation consultation for window or door replacement and siding updates, or any other service.