Don’t be fooled with last week’s hot sunny weather fall has arrived in Greater Cincinnati.

Follow 7 easy fall maintenance tips to avoid winter blues:

1. Clean Out the Gutters: Don’t wait until it’s too cold to climb a ladder to start cleaning gutters.  Water rolling over the top of blocked gutters causes all sorts of problems in the colder months.  As long as you are on the ladder, take a few minutes to inspect if gutters and shingles are still nailed in properly.  Also, if you have easy access to windows check the caulking.
2. Change Furnace Filter & Furnace Maintenace: Time to check the filter on the furnace and if you have one, the humidifier.  Most homeowners have gotten in the habit of hiring professional HVAC companies to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems.  Personally, we have it checked twice a year but for owners scheduling one checkup a year- fall is a popular time.  Don’t wait for freezing weather to find out the furnace isn’t working properly.
3. Seal the Cracks and Gaps: Inspect windows and doors for caulk in need of repair or replacement.  Also, check the weather stripping around entry doors.  It’s a good time to seal any major cracks appearing on driveway, walkways or patio to stop water from seeping in and freezing- causing more cracking.
4. Trim and Prune:  Trees and bushes/shrubs need to be pruned to help ease the weight of snow and ice on the branches during winter.  Focus on trees limbs closest to your home and then work your way away from the house.  The goal is to clean up everything but if you run out of time put your effort into cleaning/clearing near the house to minimize any wind damage.
5. Shutoff Outdoor Faucets:  One of the easiest things to do and most often forgotten.  Disconnect hoses from faucets and blow out sprinkler systems.  An attached hose leaves water in the line which can freeze and burst when water is turned on in spring.  If you have interior shut off valves for exterior faucets- turn the water off at the valve.  Remember to double-check faucets and hoses in late October or early November.  Warm weather usually requires some watering so we leave a hose attached and then forget to disconnect during the cold weather.
6. Sump Pump: Check the sump pump by pouring some water into the well to ensure it’s running. Sump pumps run for about 5 years so you want to make sure it’s operating before fall rains and winter melts.
7. Change Batteries: Change the batteries in both the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Let’s be real.  Some homeowners have checklists for every season.  Others just wing it!

Keeping it down to 7 tips or steps helps get your home ready for the cooler months.