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Indoor and Outdoor Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

September 19, 2019

Bold, bright leaves, seasonal scents, crisp air…there’s something special about fall in Washington that makeshome a little bit home-ier by the day. Before the colder weather settles in (hot tea and soup by the fire, anyone?), make sure to keep your new home in perfect shape with a few tips and tricks!   From cleaning your gutters to sealing gaps around your windows, there are certain tasks you can do in and around your home to ensure that the next few months bring little surprises and — fingers crossed — no home repairs. We’ve put together a handy checklist for you to refer to as you get ready for all of the coziness ahead:   Outdoors<  > Clean gutters to prepare for freezing/thawing<  > Check for leaks in windows and roofs<  > Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk<  > Repair damaged roof shingles <  > Cut trees and shrubs, especially if snowfall will cause them to bend and rub against your home <  > Turn off all outside water and sprinklers<  > Close shut-off valves, then open the outside faucet to drain the line<  > Fix any damaged walkway or driveway, as well as steps<  > Make sure porch boards are secure<  > Store mowers and prep snow removers<  > Store summer tools and prep winter ones<  > Put away patio tables and chairs, grills, and children’s toys   Indoors<  > Have the furnace inspected by a professional and replace filters<  > Clean dryer vents<  > Make sure the fireplace is thoroughly inspected   From all of us at New Traditions Homes, happy beginning of fall!