As the days get shorter and winter is suddenly within view, now is a great time to accomplish some home maintenance projects, both inside and outside. Whether you have an older home, or one of our newly built Eaglewood Homes, by taking a few hours in the fall, you can ensure that your home will continue to function efficiently and be ready for the long winter ahead. Let’s take a look at some great maintenance projects to tackle this fall.

Outdoor Projects

Trees and Shrubs: Take a good look at your trees and shrubs and prune off any dead or dying limbs. Winter storms can take their toll, and you do not want any falling limbs to damage your property or endanger a family member. It is also a great time to fertilize and use a fungicide. Speaking with an arborist can be helpful if you need help identifying what your trees or shrubs need.

Gutters: With all the falling leaves and debris that has built up over the year, fall is a great time to clean out those gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters during winter rain or snow storms can cause water to form pools and damage your roof.

Seal Your Exterior: Walk around the outside of your home and check for any holes or gaps in the foundation or walls. Even small cracks and holes can be enough for insects or rodents to enter your home seeking a warm environment to spend the winter. Seal small cracks with caulking and use heavy duty hardware cloth, along with spray foam, for larger holes.  This may not be applicable with a new Eaglewood Home

Sprinkler Blowouts:  In most places where it snows during the winter, it's a good idea to get your sprinkler system blown out.  Your underground sprinkler pipes are filled with water even after you have turned them off for the winter.  If that water remains, and it begins to freeze, the water will expand as it turns to ice and will break your pipes which can be a very costly repair come spring!  A sprinkler blowout simply hooks a compressed air hose to your sprinkler system and blows out all of the water out of your pipes to prevent the pipes from freezing and breaking.  Landscaping companies usually put out signs and or go door to door from October - November and charge anywhere from $20 - $40.

Indoor Projects

Heating System Maintenance: Before it gets too cold and you need to turn on that furnace, consider having it checked by a licensed heating specialist that can ensure that everything is running correctly. It is also the perfect time to clean or replace the filter in your furnace which should be done once a month. If you own an Eaglewood Home, we have provided you with a great video on how to change your Trane furnace filter.

Windows and doors: Changes in temperature and humidity, along with normal wear and tear can cause window seals to crack and shrink. This can create air leaks and cause a decrease in energy efficiency. Using a dehumidifier, especially in bathrooms may help to mitigate this.  You can replace these seals, as well as weatherstripping around doors. This will help tighten up your home and lower your power bill through the winter and in the following years.

Perform a safety check: Fall is also a great time to perform routine safety checks. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in working order and replace batteries as needed. It is also important to clean your dryer vents. Lint build-up not only makes your dryer less efficient, but it can also be the cause of fires. Cool, dry fall weather can increase static electricity, making fires a greater risk.

At Eaglewood Homes, we want you to enjoy your home year round. Not only will these tips help you maintain your yard and home, but they can also help reduce your energy bills. We champion energy efficient homes and appliances and want to help you to continue to receive the benefits they provide. If you are looking to build a new home in the Boise or Twin Falls areas, give Eaglewood Homes a chance to earn your business.