Why does fall matter for Baltimore County homes?
Our area gets the full swing of seasons: humid summers, wet autumns, freezing nights and the occasional winter storm. Water is the common thread in most home damage. It gets into small gaps, freezes, expands and turns a hairline crack into a repair. Fall is the last comfortable stretch to find those gaps and close them.
None of the items below is complicated. Together they make a good list to work through over a couple of weekends, or to hand to someone who can knock it all out in a visit.
Are your gutters and downspouts clear?
Leaves from the maples and oaks around Timonium end up in gutters fast. Clogged gutters overflow, and the water runs down the siding or pools against the foundation. Once temperatures drop, standing water in a gutter freezes and adds weight that can pull the gutter away from the house.
Clear out the debris, flush the downspouts with a hose, and look for sagging sections or loose fasteners. Make sure downspouts carry water away from the house rather than dumping it at the base of the wall.
Where does caulk need a refresh?
Walk around the outside of the house and look at the joints around windows, doors, trim and anywhere pipes or cables enter the wall. Caulk that has cracked, shrunk or pulled away is no longer sealing anything. Cold air and moisture can slip right in behind it.
Remove the old, failing caulk, clean and dry the joint, and apply a fresh bead rated for exterior use. Inside, check the tub and shower edges too, since a worn bead there lets water behind the wall. Small home repairs like this are quick, and they are exactly the kind of thing that gets skipped until it becomes a problem.
Is your weatherstripping still doing its job?
Close a door on a strip of paper. If you can slide the paper out easily, the seal is loose. You can also feel for drafts on a windy day with the back of your hand. Worn or flattened weatherstripping lets heated air out and cold air in, and it makes the heating system work harder.
Replacing weatherstripping on doors and windows is inexpensive in materials and quick in practice. While you are checking, test the locks, look at the screens, and note any window that sticks or any door that no longer closes cleanly. Our windows and doors service covers installation, repair, weatherstripping, locks and screens.
Should you power wash before winter?
Mildew, algae and grime build up on siding, decks, patios and driveways over the warm months. Left alone through winter, they hold moisture against the surface and make walkways slick. A good wash in early fall clears all of it before cold weather arrives, and you can see the surface clearly enough to spot cracks or loose boards.
Pick a dry day, and do the washing before temperatures fall below freezing. Power washing also gives you a chance to look closely at the deck, steps and railings while they are clean.
What about smoke detectors and the inside of the house?
Fall is a good time to test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector, replace batteries where they are used, and check the manufacture date printed on each unit. Heating season is when these devices matter most.
Also look at the basics inside: change furnace filters, check that vents are not blocked by furniture, and look for any dripping under sinks that you may have missed in summer.
Need a hand getting it done?
If your list is longer than your weekend, MDR Home Plus can work through it with you. Request an estimate and tell us what is on your list. We serve Lutherville-Timonium and homes across Baltimore County.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to do fall maintenance?
Aim for the stretch after most leaves have fallen but before the first hard freeze. Caulk and exterior washing need dry weather and mild temperatures to work properly.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
It depends on how many trees are near the house. Homes with a lot of overhanging branches often need gutters cleaned more than once a season. Check them after a big leaf drop and after heavy storms.
What if I find rot or damage while checking?
Soft or discolored wood around windows, doors and trim should be looked at by someone who can repair it properly. Describe what you found and request an estimate so the repair can be planned before winter.