Fall Property Checklist

Six Things to Address Before Winter

​Fall is officially here, and and it is the perfect time for home and rental property owners to prepare for the winter season. Although Old Man Winter is usually kinder to Florida than other states, that doesn't mean that you should ignore home maintenance concerns that could become severe problems if not addressed.

​Below are 6 things to do this fall to prepare your properties for winter. 

1) Check the heater. There’s nothing worse than turning on the heat on that first surprisingly chilly day and finding out it’s not working.

Here are some things you should do to make sure your HVAC system is functioning properly.

• Test the heat to make sure it turns on and raises the temperature.
• Check air flow throughout the house and clean out any dust buildup.
• Change your air filter (it’s easy to forget!)
• Test and clean any humidifiers and dehumidifiers
• Have your heating system checked by a licensed professional to ensure it’s firing on all cylinders

2) Check the landscaping. Fall is the best time of year to take care of things like trimming and planting. The cooler temperatures will make the process of yard work more enjoyable, too.

• Trim all your bushes.
• Prune your trees.
• Plant shrubs and trees (they will establish root systems by spring).
• Plant perennials or dig and divide perennials.
• Overseed your lawn to fill in bare spots and give it a thicker growth.
• Aerate your lawn to allow moisture and nutrients to get into the roots.
• Clean out lawn equipment like your lawnmower before storing it for the winter.

3) Check the fireplace. While gas fireplaces are all the rage these days, there are still a lot of people with traditional wood-burning fireplaces. There’s nothing like that crackle and pop of burning wood! If that’s you, make sure your chimney is clean and clear of any nests or debris that could catch fire.

4) Analyze the exterior. Before it gets cold, take the opportunity to inspect the exterior of your house. Do a thorough analysis to make sure the face of your home, which takes a regular beating from the elements, will be strong and steady this winter.

• Check for peeling paint, which can mean moisture is causing the surface of the home to swell.
• Caulk any suspect windows to keep the cold from getting in.
• Send a professional up to the roof to find and replace missing, loose, or curling shingles.
• Look for siding that may be damaged or coming off.
• Clean and test (with a hose) your gutters.
• Power wash your siding and windows.

5) Take a look at the interior. As the weather changes, you’re probably going to find yourself inside more. So, now is a good time to make some interior improvements. For landlords, fall may also be a good time for improvements if you’re between tenants.

• Give any rooms that need it a fresh coat of paint—or maybe just a new or different color for a change of scenery.
• Clean your carpets and replace any old or damaged carpet.
• Check all your windows and consider installing more efficient windows if you can feel cold air coming in.

6) Odds and ends.

Just a few more things to keep in mind…

• Turn off your hose valves if you’re done using them for the year to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter.
• Take a peek in your attic. You never know what you might find up there—animals, improper insulation, holes, bad wiring, etc.
• Test all your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re in good working condition.
• Click the “reverse” switch on your ceiling fans. Changing the direction your fan rotates will help push warm air down that’s collecting in the ceiling.
• Since the growing season is over, this is a great time to get all lawn equipment checked and serviced.