September is a wonderful time to catch up on those homeowner’s chores you’ve been putting off. The weather is cooler now and you probably have a different routine in the fall that *might* give you some extra hours to get the projects finished.
Here are 4 things you can do to spruce up your home:
#1 Stain Your Deck
In general, older decks can be stained every two to three years to protect them from the elements. If it’s a new deck, when to stain depends on if the wood is pressure-treated lumber, kiln-dried lumber or green lumber. You’ll want to make sure you stain at the appropriate time so that the wood takes and holds the stain properly.
#2 Check Your Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Detectors and Clean Your Chimney
Fall and winter are prime times for house fires. You might begin to use your fireplace or turn on your electric heat for some warmth. This is also the time rodents tend to find their way indoors and may chew wires. There are many reasons for house fires, but you can be prepared by checking the date on your fire extinguishers to make sure they don’t need to be reloaded… and be sure to have one on each floor. This is also a reminder that chimneys should be cleaned and inspected once a year by a qualified professional prior to winter use. While you’re at it, test your battery-operated smoke detectors and replace batteries as needed.
#3 Freshen Up Your Landscaping
Fall is a great time to aerate and reseed your lawn and to plant perennials, bulbs and shrubs. Everything will have time to establish good roots before the ground freezes and your lawn will get green faster in the spring. You can use this time to clean up leaves, debris and other dead or dying plants that can otherwise become rodent safe havens through the colder months.
#4 Give Your Exterior an Inspection
It’s time to check your roof for leaks, your gutters for broken or blocked areas and your siding for cracks and issues. Also look at the grading around your home so that thawed snow won’t melt and pour into your basement or foundation. It’s better to fix now before the problem causes other issues.
We hope these tips will help you in the coming months as you work around your home and complete some of the tasks you’ve been putting off!
This article was adapted from https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/september-home-maintenance-plan/