09/02/26

Buying & Selling Tips, Home Design

Before the Leaves Fall: Give Your Home a Little TLC

September is the perfect time to give your home a little love before cooler temperatures arrive. A few simple maintenance projects now can help prevent bigger (and more expensive) issues once Wisconsin winter settles in.

Here’s your September home maintenance checklist to help your home head into fall feeling comfortable, safe, and ready for the season ahead.

Give Your HVAC System a Check-Up

Before you turn the heat on for the first chilly night of the season, make sure your system is ready to go.

• Replace your furnace filter
• Schedule a professional inspection or tune-up if needed
• Test your thermostat
• Make sure vents and registers are open and unobstructed
• If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning

Helpful Hint: Don’t wait until the first cold snap to discover your furnace needs attention. Fall is a very busy season for HVAC professionals.

Clean Out the Gutters

Falling leaves are coming, which makes September a great time to get ahead of gutter maintenance.

Clear leaves, sticks, and debris from your gutters and downspouts, then make sure water is able to flow freely. Next, be sure that downspouts are directing water away from your foundation.

Clean gutters now, but plan to check them again after most of the leaves have fallen.

Check Your Roof

Take a quick look at your roof for missing, cracked, or damaged shingles. Also check around flashing, vents, and chimneys for signs of wear. If something looks questionable, it’s much easier to address it before snow, ice, and freezing temperatures arrive.

Seal Up Drafts

Small gaps around windows and doors can make a noticeable difference once temperatures drop.

Check for drafts around:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Garage doors
• Utility openings
• Areas where pipes or wiring enter your home

Replace worn weatherstripping and refresh caulking where needed.

Prep Your Outdoor Spaces

Before storing away the patio furniture and gardening tools, give everything a little attention.

Clean and store outdoor furniture, drain and shut off exterior faucets, disconnect garden hoses, and bring in items that could be damaged by freezing temperatures.

Check Your Windows and Doors

Make sure windows and exterior doors are closing tightly and locking properly. Look for damaged screens, cracked glass, or deteriorating seals. Fall is also a great time to give your windows a wash before they’re closed up for the colder months.

Test Your Safety Devices

A seasonal maintenance routine is a great reminder to test the safety equipment throughout your home.

Check your:

• Smoke detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• Security system
• Sump pump

Replace batteries as needed and make sure everyone in the household knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Inspect Your Foundation

Walk around the exterior of your home and look for cracks, water intrusion, or areas where soil has settled near the foundation.

Make sure the ground slopes away from your home and that downspouts are directing water away from the foundation. Catching drainage issues before the freeze-thaw cycle begins can save you a headache later.

Get Ahead of Winter

September is also a great time to start thinking about the projects you won’t want to tackle once it turns into the frozen tundra outside.

Consider scheduling:

• Chimney maintenance
• Roof repairs
• Tree trimming
• Driveway or concrete repairs
• Exterior painting
• Furnace service
• Insulation improvements

You don’t have to do everything at once. The goal is simply to catch potential problems while there’s still plenty of time to address them.

A Little Fall Prep Goes a Long Way

Home maintenance may not be the most exciting part of the new season, but a little preparation now can make the colder months much easier. Take an afternoon this September to walk through your home, tackle the small projects, and make a plan for anything that needs professional attention.

And if you’re thinking about buying or selling this fall, The Hub Realty is here to help you navigate the season — and everything that comes with your next move.