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It’s not too late to prepare your home for cooler weather! Bill Clark Homes has been dedicated to building the highest-quality homes in North Carolina for over 40 years. While our homes are built to last, we understand your current home might require a bit more maintenance to prepare for the cooler coastal seasons. 

Using our fall maintenance checklist, you can rest assured that as a homeowner, you’ve taken the needed precautions to protect your home from cold-weather inconveniences and expensive damages. 

Keep the cold air (and moisture) out 

A quick check around your home’s exterior can reveal cracks in draft-prone areas like windows and doors. Adding weather stripping or sealing exterior caulk to those spots are a cost-effective way to cut down on heating costs and keep moisture out of your home. 

• Pro-tip: Caulk flows easiest when the weather is nice, so get this task done before the temperature drops. 

Care for your landscaping  

Fall is the perfect time to get your yard and landscaping ready for winter. Trees need extra attention, so look for signs of poor health like noticeable differences in leaf colors or fall patterns and dead branches. Trees that are unhealthy should be removed or pruned to prevent them from causing damage to your home (specifically the roof) during winter storms. 

As for lawn care, it’s important to rake fallen leaves throughout the fall to keep grass healthy enough to grow in the spring. 

• Pro-tip: Try to rake on calm days so that the wind won’t undo your work. If you have to rake on a windy day, rake the leaves in the same direction the wind is blowing.

Inspect your roof and gutters 

Grab your ladder (and recruit a spotter) to safely make your way to the roof for an inspection—or hire a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself. While some stains are just cosmetic, mosses or other growths could signify decay that you can’t see. 

• Pro-tip: Look out for cracked, curled, buckled or missing shingles and replace them immediately.

Also, check for cracks around vents and skylights. If there is more damage than spot treatment is worth, it might be time to replace your entire roof. 

While you’re up there, clear out gutters that are clogged. Once autumn hits, those pretty leaves falling from your trees end up in gutters, posing a major threat to the drainage of your home if left cluttered. Back on the ground, clear out any downspouts and check for damaged pieces to replace before winter. 

Analyze your HVAC system 

Now that your home is prepped and ready to keep the cold air outside, it’s time to focus on the warm air inside. The last thing you want to wake up to on the first chilly morning is an equally chilly house—or worse, a frozen pipe. 

Conduct a visual inspection on your HVAC system: check for physical damage and clean the area around it. Then, change the filter. A dirty filter can cause major damage to the system and rack up your heating bills. 

• Pro-tip: Pouring a solution of bleach and water through your condensate drain line can help prevent clogs from forming. 

Some of this is beyond basic homeowner knowledge, which is why it’s important to have an HVAC professional thoroughly inspect your unit regularly. Bill Clark Homes can provide you with a list of area experts we trust to work on our own HVAC systems. 

Replace batteries in detectors 

A quick peek at your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors takes only a few minutes and are a priceless way to keep your family safe and healthy. It’s suggested that homeowners replace batteries in the detectors twice a year, so avoid the infamous chirp of a low-battery warning and set a reminder to do it again in six months. 

Check out your fireplace and chimney

A favorite cold-weather pastime can often involve your wood- or gas-burning fireplace. Before you fire it up for the first time this season, grab a flashlight and peek inside the flue to make sure the damper is in proper working order and clear of debris (like bird’s nests or leaves). 

Find your perfect home 

Looking for a new home in southeastern North Carolina before winter hits? Look no further. Bill Clark Homes has move-in ready homes available now throughout our expertly-designed communities. If you have some time, a preferred lot and are wanting to design your home from the studs up, browse our floor plan options and find what’s right for your family. Contact us to get started on the process.