As the seasons change and temperatures begin to drop, fall is one of the best times to take a walk around your property and look for small issues before they become bigger problems.
Start with your gutters and drainage. Leaves, needles and other debris can accumulate in gutters and downspouts, preventing water from moving away from the building properly. As temperatures drop, that debris can become saturated, freeze and add significant weight to the eavestrough system. Over time, this can contribute to gutters sagging, developing low spots where water pools instead of draining toward the downspout, or even pulling away from the fascia.
Checking that gutters are clear and that downspouts are directing water away from the foundation can help prevent drainage problems before winter arrives.
Pay attention to vegetation around the building. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation that have grown close to the structure can create convenient pathways and harbourage for wildlife and pests. Keeping vegetation trimmed back from the building can reduce access to roofs and other areas where animals may find shelter. It also makes it easier to inspect the exterior for damage, gaps and potential entry points.
Take a look at the exterior. Fall is a good time to inspect siding, windows, decks, walkways and other exterior surfaces. Look for areas where dirt, organic growth, smoke or wildfire ash has accumulated. Ash and smoke residue can be easy to overlook, but leaving contaminants on exterior surfaces for extended periods can make them more difficult to remove later. While you’re looking around, check for damaged caulking, loose materials or other areas where moisture could get in.
Don’t forget about pests. As temperatures cool, rodents and other pests begin looking for warm, sheltered places to spend the winter. Check around doors, vents, utility penetrations, foundations and other openings for potential entry points. Identifying and addressing these areas before rodents move in is much easier than dealing with an established problem later.
The goal of fall maintenance isn’t simply to react when something goes wrong. A little preventative attention now can help protect the property and make winter maintenance much easier.
Not sure what to look for? A professional set of eyes can help identify issues that are easy to overlook. At Havyn Property Revival Solutions, we provide clients with a complimentary property report with our services, documenting observations and recommendations so they have a clear picture of what was found and what may need attention.
A good fall property check comes down to a few simple things: keep water moving, keep vegetation managed, maintain the exterior, look for potential pest entry points, and address small problems before winter has a chance to make them bigger.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
