Fall is a great time to check some things off your home maintenance list if you're a homeowner. Since most of Southern California (other than the mountains) doesn't experience snow and below-freezing temperatures, a home maintenance checklist mainly helps ensure that your home will stay in tip-top shape for the seasons and years ahead so that you can spend more time enjoying your home and less time fixing things that could break.
Outside your home
In Southern California, Fall is a great time to plant perennials such as columbine, peonies, or hydrangea.
Fall is also a great time to reseed your lawn and to plant new trees and shrubs.
Be sure to give new landscaping plenty of water so that you can see your first blooms come springtime!
Trim any overgrown trees or shrubs to prevent fallen branches from Santa Ana winds that may come in the Winter.
Don't forget to check your gutters for any repairs that need to be made.
Inside your home
Now is the time to get your central air system serviced if you have one. You should also have your furnace and ductwork checked and cleaned for energy efficiency.
It's a good idea to make sure your thermostat is properly working. Your heating vents should also get inspected to make sure they're open and free of blockage.
If you've never done so, Fall is a good time to have your boiler tank and radiator checked by a plumber to make sure the valves are in good shape and haven't worn out.
Check all windows, door frames, and caulk for drafts.
Over 2,900 fires a year are caused by clothes dryers, with many of these fires happening during the fall and winter, according to the United States Fire Administration. Since lint is a major culprit, it's recommended to have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned annually by an HVAC specialist who specializes in ductwork or dryer vents.
Your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should get checked twice a year. Fall and Spring are both good times. Don't forget to change the batteries as needed.
If you need any vendor referrals for home maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact Conrad. He will refer folks either he has used himself or those recommended to him.