Fall Outdoor Home, Garden and Tool Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

As fall and winter approach now is the time to maintain the exterior of your home, service & store outdoor power equipment and garden tools. Properly storing and maintaining these items in the fall will get you off to a quick start in the spring. Protective winter home maintenance will help your home withstand the forces of nature in the winter ahead. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional to perform the work, use the lists as a guide of tasks to perform.

House Exterior Winterizing Tips

1. Inspect roofing and siding for damage, check flashings, clean out gutters and leaders and make sure they are secured properly and make sure splash block are in place for proper drainage.

2. Test outdoor GFCI receptacles and check covers.

3. Start and test generator power if you have one.

4. Repair entrance or deck stairs

5. Check weather stripping around entrance doors and garage doors.

6. Check windows for operation and closure, caulk and paint, remove screens and store for winter.

7. Install storm windows if you have them.

8. Check fuel levels if you have oil heating and keep clear access for refueling.

9. Turn off outdoor water faucets and remove hoses and drain.

10. Trim tree branches close to gutter, roof or house so animals can’t enter at soffit area.

11. Check outdoor light fixtures and replace bad lamps.

12. Clean and cover out door air conditioning units. Remove window type a/c units or cover in place.

13. Check fireplace chimney for obstructions or blockages.

14. Clean/check kitchen and bathroom ventilation exhaust fans.

15. Clean dryer vent and damper of lint and check operation.

16. Clean outdoor gas grill and cover.

17. Winterize sprinkler irrigation system.

18. Winterize pool and ponds.

Garden Supplies and Tool Maintenance

1. Clean hand tools (shovels, edger, rakes, hoe, etc) and apply a coat of light oil (or spray with WD40) to steel surfaces to prevent rust.

2. Remove all water hoses & sprinklers, drain and store.

3. Remove water and liquids from hand sprayers and power washers.

4. Clean, sharpen and lubricate all cutters – hedge trimmers, pruners, loppers etc.

5. Gas powered tools – clean, sharpen and lubricate, remove fuel or run to empty.

6. Lawn mowers – sharpen blades, change engine oil, clean, lubricate and check air in tires, run till fuel empty.

7. Store fertilizers and chemicals in a secure dry place and protect liquids from freezing. It’s best not to store dry fertilizers from season to season as they will clump up from moisture.

8. Empty clay flower pots as they will crack in freezing temperatures.

9. Take down and store hanging plants.

10. Store wheel barrow upside down if kept outside.

11. Clean and store outdoor furniture.

12. Before bringing in houseplants check for rodents and insects.

13. Clean out dead flowers and vegetable gardens.

14. Start, test and run snow blowers for winters use.

15. Check snow shovels and ice scrapers for use or replacement.

Many of these maintenance items are relatively easy to do and most homeowners can do it themselves. Make a list for yourself of the tasks you need to perform and any service parts to purchase.