Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall is the perfect season to tackle general home maintenance projects because the weather is usually dry and temperatures are moderate. Before you start your seasonal home maintenance checklist, examine your home's interior and exterior. Most of these tasks can be accomplished without the help of a professional, but it's always better to be safe and call for assistance if a project is beyond your abilities.

Here are our seasonal home maintenance checklist recommendations for fall:

Landscaping and Yard Prep

  • Rake leaves and aerate the lawn.

  • Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.

  • Practice pest prevention by keeping firewood away from the house, trimming shrubs, and repairing rotten or broken woodwork. Remove any wasp nests hanging from eaves or overhangs.

  • Drain and winterize exterior plumbing, including hoses and in-ground sprinkler systems.

Home Exterior Repairs and Updates

  • Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway.

  • Touch up exterior siding and trim with paint.

  • Power-wash windows and siding.

  • Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.

  • Repair or replace siding.

  • Clean window and door screens.

  • Replace old, drafty windows for more energy-efficient models.

  • Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping; replace if necessary.

  • Inspect exterior door hardware; fix squeaky handles and loose locks.

  • Wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages.

Interior Cleaning and Inspection

  • Have the forced-air heating system inspected by a professional. Schedule an inspection in late summer or early fall before the heating season begins.

  • Check the fireplace for damage or hazards and clean fireplace flues. Have your fireplace professionally inspected.

  • Tune up major home appliances before the holidays.

  • Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

  • Install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement.

  • Clean carpets.

  • Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.

  • Check the water heater for leaks.

For additional tips, please visit BHG.com

Last days of summer

Like a regular health check-up, a home maintenance checklist and schedule are important for every house's upkeep. Continuing to check on your exterior, appliances, heating and cooling, plumbing, security, and electrical systems will help prevent breakdowns, save money, and keep your home looking its best.

Use this home maintenance checklist to help schedule seasonal updates, repairs, cleaning, and a handful of monthly tasks. Revisit the list monthly and at the beginning of each season to keep your home in prime working condition. If any recommended home repairs and maintenance go beyond your skill level or lead to more complicated projects, consider hiring a professional to help.

Inspecting your home and completing monthly home improvement projects will keep your maintenance schedule on track and easier to manage. Follow this comprehensive home maintenance checklist each month to help save time and money:

Air Quality and Vents

  • Clean the furnace filter to remove dust build-ups, make it easier to regulate your home's temperature, and ultimately decrease energy bills.

  • Vacuum heat registers and heat vents.

  • Check that indoor and outdoor air vents are not blocked.

Plumbing and Water

  • Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary.

  • Clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda.

  • Inspect tub and sink drains for debris; unclog if necessary.

  • Flush out hot water from the water heater to remove accumulated sediment.

Home Safety

  • Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and all ground-fault circuit interrupters. Check the gauge and expiration date on fire extinguishers.

  • Inspect electrical cords for wear.

How to Check for Mold in Air Conditioners and What to Do About It

Brought to you by Better Homes and Gardens: bhg.com

Welcome Spring!

Now that the weather is starting to dry out, it’s the perfect time to start your yard clean up.

Check out a few secrets of success to effective spring lawn care:

  1. Regular lawn mowing with the correct mowing height is essential; blade height should ideally be no lower than 5cm for the first few cuts, in general.

  2. Feed your lawn in spring and then again in summer to increase strength, vigour and health.

  3. Treat lawn weeds and moss quickly and effectively using a lawn weedkiller.

  4. Deal with bare patches in the lawn immediately to deter weeds and moss taking hold.

  5. Scarify the lawn to help alleviate the build up of thatch layers in the lawn, including debris, dead grass and moss.

  6. Aerate your lawn to relieve compaction and let air circulate around the lawn root system. Aeration will also help if you have lawn drainage issues.

    Check out www.lovethegarden.com for additional tips

Common Community Resources

Homeowners often ask who to contact when concerns arise, so we've compiled this list of common community resources. It's also available on the portal at www.mclarinmgmt.com - email support@mclarinmgmt.com if you need an invite to join the portal, a great resource for community documents and managing their HOA account. 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES SNOHOMISH COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL

To report stray or problem animals call 425-388-3440. For excessive barking, talk to the owner first. https://snohomishcountywa.gov/1940/Animal-Services

BUILDING PERMITS

City of Mill Creek: Phone: 425-551-7254

Building Codes and Guidance - City of Mill Creek, Wa

NOISE CURFEW

Call the non-emergency 911 to report violations 425-775-3000.

PARKING COMPLAINTS

City of Mill Creek residents, call Larissa Pilot 425-921-5765.

POWER OUTAGES

Snohomish Public Utility District: 425-783-1001 or online

Search Address - SnoPUD Report Outage

SAFETY CONCERNS

For non-urgent concerns, call non-emergency 911, 425-407-3999

STREET SIGNS & LIGHTS

To report damaged or knocked down signs or burned-out lights, call City of Mill Creek Public Works

https://millcreekwa.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(4qxis2jjpn1ke31evmmvepxc))/RequestSelect.aspx

TREE REMOVAL

A permit is required to remove mature trees in the City of Mill Creek.

Tree Removal Permits - City of Mill Creek, Wa

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Management Inc., 6211 234th Street SE, Woodinville, WA 98072. Phone: 800-592- 9995 https://www.wm.com