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Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

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Fall in Chicago is all about crisp mornings, colorful leaves and getting ready for cooler days ahead. It’s also the perfect season to take care of important home maintenance tasks before winter arrives. A little effort now can save you from costly repairs later and help keep your home safe, warm and energy efficient.

Here’s a checklist of key fall home maintenance tasks:

1. Clear Out Gutters and Downspouts

Falling leaves may be pretty, but they can clog gutters quickly. Clean out debris so water drains properly and doesn’t pool near your foundation. Check downspouts to ensure they direct water away from your home.

2. Inspect Your Roof

Chicago winters can be tough on roofs. Look for missing, loose or damaged shingles and schedule repairs before snow and ice settle in. This prevents leaks and protects your home’s structure.

3. Service Your Heating System

Before you turn on the heat for the season, schedule a furnace inspection and replace filters. A tuned-up system runs more efficiently, helps lower energy bills and ensures you’ll stay cozy when temperatures drop.

4. Seal Windows and Doors

Drafts can drive up heating costs. Check the weatherstripping around windows and doors, and re-caulk if needed. Adding storm windows or using thermal curtains can also help keep warmth inside.

5. Winterize Outdoor Plumbing

Drain garden hoses, shut off exterior faucets and cover spigots to prevent frozen pipes. If you have an irrigation system, have it blown out before the first freeze.

6. Prep Your Fireplace and Chimney

If you plan to use a fireplace, schedule a chimney cleaning to remove buildup and ensure it’s safe to operate. Don’t forget to stock up on firewood and test your fireplace damper.

7. Check Safety Devices

Replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Test each device to make sure it’s in working order before heating season begins.

8. Clean and Store Outdoor Furniture

Give your patio furniture a quick wash, then store it in a shed or garage to extend its life. If you don’t have storage space, use weatherproof covers to protect items from snow and ice.

9. Refresh Landscaping

Rake leaves, aerate your lawn and plant bulbs for spring. Fall is also a great time to prune trees and shrubs, especially branches close to your roof or power lines.

Stay Ahead With Seasonal Maintenance

Completing these tasks now will help you avoid bigger problems once winter sets in. Regular upkeep also preserves your home’s value.

Row of Victorian style brick houses

4 Steps to Begin a Home Renovation Project

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Whether you just bought a home and are looking to update the space to fit your needs, or you’ve lived in your home for years and notice wear and tear or your preferences have changed, you might be ready to change things up. Do you know where to start? Here are the steps to follow to begin the renovation process: 

Prioritize Your Wants & Needs 

During your project, you may not be able to have everything done you want. Does the space need a full renovation, or can you just update parts of your home? Deciding the extent of the project and what needs to get done versus what you would like to have done is great to determine a budget and cost later in the process. 

Get Inspired 

Envision what you want your new space to look like, and do research to get ideas of how to get there. Look into designs and make a list of what you’ll need to purchase to get the job done. This will also help you begin to get an idea of a budget, as you determine the cost of the materials you’ll need. Check out Pinterest or Houzz to get inspired.

Research Your Budget 

Next, do your research on budgets to get an idea of the extent of your project. Is a full renovation possible, or would a partial project be more ideal? Having a general idea of what materials and furnishings will cost will also help you figure out how much you can spend when hiring someone for the job. 

Decide How to Accomplish Your Project 

Is this a smaller project, like painting or refinishing something, that you think you can do on your own? Or will a professional need to be hired? Determine which direction you want to go. 

Hiring a professional will determine if the jobs gets done correctly and up to your standards. Start getting quotes from professionals. It’s best to get more than one, to determine the best person for the job at the right price.