In the fall, Carefully Inspect Your Home to Prevent Damage and Other Issues!

Autumn is a season marked by temperature fluctuations, an abundance of fallen leaves and periods of wet weather. All these conditions can pose various maintenance challenges for homeowners. 

This is also the time of the year when things may break down. But you can undertake steps to stop problems with your property from ever arising. .

Beware of Leaf-Filled Gutters

This natural phenomenon gives thousands of homeowners headaches every year. Dead leaves pile up rapidly inside gutters, blocking or clogging them. This can lead to overflow and water infiltration, damaging walls and foundations.

• Regularly clear the gutters: Especially if you have lots of mature trees in your yard.
• Use the right tools: For a safe cleaning session, equip yourself with a stable ladder and the appropriate tools, like a gutter scoop or leaf blower. Wear gloves to protect your hands from debris and sharp objects.
• Invest in gutter guards: These grille covers prevent leaves and other debris from accumulating inside the gutters, which may help reduce the amount of maintenance, while allowing the water to drain.
• Check that they’re draining properly: Make sure the water drains away from the house. If necessary, install downspout extensions to direct the water several metres from the foundations.
• Monitor the gutters’ condition: As you clean, check the gutters and connectors’ condition. Loose or blocked gutters can buckle under the weight of wet leaves and water.
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Inspect the Building Envelope

Roof, walls and foundation… keep your eyes peeled! Frequent fall showers can cause severe damage if roofs aren’t properly maintained. Cracked concrete foundations are equally vulnerable to water infiltrations. Repairing any degraded areas is recommended before the heavy rains come to avoid expensive water leaks.

Tasks to prioritize:

1. Visually inspect the roof: Climb a ladder or look the roof over with binoculars to spot any broken, shifted or missing shingles. Small repairs can keep big problems at bay!
2. Check the seals and caulking: Make certain seals around chimneys, skylights, windows and doors remains sound. Deteriorated or cracked caulking must be replaced to prevent water from leaking in.
3. Ensure foundations are watertight: If you notice cracks in the foundation, seal them with a specially formulated product before the damp gets inside. For higher-risk areas, it may be worth adding a French drain or strengthening the waterproofing.
4. Schedule a professional inspection: If you feel any doubts regarding the building envelope’s condition, hiring an expert to conduct a thorough inspection is a wise precaution.

Check Your Basement’s Humidity Level

A house’s general humidity level should never exceed 70%… even in the basement! As humidity rises in the fall, moisture issues in basements may worsen, particularly if there are cracks in the foundation. This can lead to mould growth and poor air quality.

• Rely on dehumidifiers: They absorb water droplets in the air, reducing the humidity level.
• Seal cracks: Again, repairing any leaks that may increase moisture levels, no matter how small or minor they may seem, is essential.
• Assess the outdoor drainage: Are some areas near the foundation regularly waterlogged? The ground in this zone may be slopping towards your property, directing water where it will surely cause problems. Correct the slope to resolve the issue.

Furthermore, a damp smell in the basement is often a sign of poor ventilation or mould growth. Here are some tips to get rid of this unpleasant odour.

• Air out the space regularly: Maximize air circulation by opening the windows or installing ventilation systems.
• Clean the surfaces: It may prove beneficial to wipe down the walls and floor with white vinegar-based or mould disinfectant products.
• Find the source of the humidity: If the smell persists despite your efforts, you may be dealing with an undetected leak or water infiltration. The next recommended step is to call on professional assistance to uncover its origin and fix the problem.

Examine the Air Outlets

Autumn is considered the ideal time to inspect and clean your air conditioner’s, dryer’s, and air exchanger’s conduits. Check that the air outlets are well insulated to stop cold drafts from outdoors. Clean or replace the filters (depending on the model) as well. How-to videos are available online, but if you want to make sure the job gets done right, hire a specialist company. These are the same experts who clean air ducts (of foam, dust, etc.) to prevent fires, for example. 

Test the Heating System (Before the Temperatures Drop!)

Before the really cold weather sets in, it’s vital that you make certain your heating system is working properly and efficiently. Imagine it breaking down in the middle of a freezing night! Whether it’s a gas furnace or electric baseboard heaters, a malfunction can happen to anyone at any time.

Cut Dangerous Tree Branches

Snow accumulation, freezing rain and wind can weaken certain branches, that can then snap and damage the roof, windows or cars. Preventative pruning of trees next to the house is usually a good idea. Likewise, if a branch is touching the exterior walls or roof: it may end up serving as an express route into your warm home for pests.

• Regularly trim branches: Have your trees assessed by an expert to identify dead or fragile branches. Cut down any near the roofs, windows or power lines.
• Plant your trees at the proper distance from the house: Make sure you maintain a distance of at least three to five metres (depending on the size of the trees will reach once mature). This will help prevent their roots from damaging the foundations and their branches from reaching the building in only a few years’ time.
• Watch for signs of tree decay: Stay on the look out for signs of potential health problems, such as fungi on the trunk, cracks in the wood or dead leaves during the growing season. An ailing tree has a greater probability of having branches break off in bad weather.

Convince Pests to Hibernate Elsewhere

As winter approaches, rodents and certain insects begin to look for warm environments in which to spend the winter. They can enter your residence through small cracks and holes.

Tasks to prioritize:

1. Minutely inspect your home’s exterior: Examine the foundations, walls, doors and windows for cracks, holes or gaps through which pests might find their way inside. Next, start caulking! A mouse can get through even the smallest slit. Another excellent reason to seal these access points is to prevent potential water leaks, as previously explained.
2. Use the right materials: Opt for silicone caulking to plug tiny holes as it’s very resistant to temperature fluctuations. In the case of larger cracks, cement or expandable foam is the best solution. Rodent-proof trickier areas (like conduits or around cables) with metal mesh. 
3. Check the ventilation grilles and chimneys: Make sure the ventilation grilles are in good condition and that their holes are sufficiently small to stop pests in their track. Chimneys can also serve as entry points, so install a screen or protective cap.
4. Eliminate food sources: Rodents are attracted by food. Keep your trash bins securely closed and clean up any food waste from your yard.
5. Watch out for the signs: Pay attention for evidence of their presence such as droppings, gnaw or scratch marks, as well as unusual sounds in walls or ceilings. If you notice anything, act quickly to avoid an infestation.
6. Regularly rake up fallen leaves around the yard: Allowing dead leaves to build up around the base of trees or next to foundations can attract pests looking for a refuge right by your residence.

By implementing a few proactive measures as autumn arrives, homeowners can undoubtedly prevent certain problems from occurring and in so doing keep their property in good condition during the months ahead.