Getting Your Rental Ready for the Fall

We all like to think fall is about getting to wear light sweaters, drink pumpkin spice lattes and enjoy the leaves covering the ground, but the cold hard fact is this. Fall is a runway for winter. Dogs grow thicker coats, bears eat enough to hibernate and we humans prep our houses. 




Getting your house ready for the colder months doesn't have to be a chore, though. Sprucing up your yard and tinkering with your toolbox might be the perfect way to enjoy cooler temperatures!

Even for those who are not particularly excited about the process of prepping for fall and the coming winter, it will make your life easier when the snow comes and when it melts in the spring.


Easy Steps to Prepare for Fall Weather

Clean Your Gutters:


Autumn leaves are beautiful, but when they clog up your gutters, they are anything but charming. 

Maintaining clean, well-flowing gutters can prevent overflowing water from causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to siding, landscaping and even to the foundation of your house. A clogged gutter can also create ice dams that push water up under your shingles and into your home.ʉ۬How do you stop that?

Using a ladder and a small scoop, remove the guck, starting at the downspout. Throw the debris into a bucket or onto a tarp for easy cleanup. Then flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose. 

Fireplace Safety:
Here are some tips from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

• Have the chimney checked every year to ensure both the chimney system and venting systems are working properly and safely. To reduce the buildup of creosote, a flammable compound, make sure to burn only well-seasoned hardwoods.

• Install a chimney cap to keep out debris and to prevent birds and animals from nesting. Inspect and maintain your chimney flashing (the seal between the chimney and the roof). 

Need a professional to help you inspect your chimney? Reach out to property management to discuss this!

Weather-Proof Doors and Windows:


A draft-free home will not only help keep the sniffles at bay, but it will also save you money! One of the best ways to do this is to make sure you maintain your weather-stripping. 

Felt strips, metal-back strips, self-stick foam, and plastic channels are all useful DIY tools to help you insulate drafty windows and doors. When it comes to buttoning up your home, caulk is also your friend. If you feel there is a leak, call your property management company to discuss the issue.



Check Your Roof:


This task is not for tenants and should be handled by a professional. Now is the time to make sure the roof is in good shape. Replace buckling, curling or cracked shingles. Check the flashing around pipes, chimneys and other penetrations to make sure you don't have any leaks or gaps. 

Also, look for excessive shingle granules in your gutters -if your shingles are disintegrating, they are losing valuable weight and insulation, and it might be time to replace your roofing. â€¨â€¨

Check the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:


Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested regularly. As your protecting the house from the elements, why not also make sure it's protected from forces within. You must make sure the detectors are operational and have fresh batteries. â€¨â€¨

Walk the walks (and driveways):


Damaged walkways, drives, and steps are a hazard year-round but their dangers are compounded when the weather turns icy. Fixing problems in the fall is also critical to preventing little problems from becoming expensive headaches. Look for cracks more than 1/8-inch wide, uneven sections, and loose railings on steps. 

Check for disintegration of asphalt or washed-out materials on loose-fill paths. â€¨Most small jobs are well within the ability of a do-it-yourselfer, but save major repairs for experienced hands. â€¨â€¨

Chill out:


Before the freezing weather hits, take steps to ensure that outside faucets (also called sill cocks) and inground irrigation systems don't freeze and burst. â€¨â€¨

How?  Close any shut-off valves serving outside faucets, then open the outside faucet to drain the line. (There may be a small cap on the faucet you can loosen to facilitate this draining.) If you don't have shut-off valves, and your faucets are not "freeze-proof " types, you may benefit from Styrofoam faucet covers sold at home centers. 

To freeze-proof an in-ground irrigation system, follow the manufacturer's procedure for draining.

Embrace the Fall 

                Now that you are prepared, you can enjoy the benefits of the fall knowing that your home is winterized and ready to take on the cold. Enjoy the pumpkin spice lattes!