Autumn is almost here in Albuquerque. That means it's time to start getting your home ready for the colder month.  Doing a round of simple fall maintenance chores now can save you time, money, and stress when the cold weather comes.

Here are five fall home maintenance activities to start thinking about this weekend.

Clean your gutters

Depending on how many trees you have near your home, you may need to check and clean your gutters more than once to keep your home safe from flooding. This will ensure that they are ready for the fall and winter season.

Check your chimney

Make sure your chimney is clear before you make your first fire of the season. "Creosote buildup causes chimney fires," said Family Handyman. "You should have your chimney professionally inspected or cleaned after every 70 fires. If you burn wet wood (which you shouldn't), have it inspected or cleaned every 50 fires. Don't remember the last time you had it cleaned by a pro? A quick way to tell if your chimney needs cleaning is to run the point of your fireplace poker along the inside of your chimney liner. If you find a 1/8-in. layer (or more) of buildup, call a chimney sweep."

Check your roof

Storms, wind, and rain over the past year could have caused damage you haven't noticed. You definitely don't want to wait for the weather to get nasty to find out you have a leak. If you're not comfortable on a ladder or just want a professional eye, a pro roofer will typically charge you under $100 to check it out.

Seal it up

There are three important reasons to make sure your home is air tight:

  • Keeping moisture out
  • Keeping critters out
  • Keeping warm air in.

Critters can enter homes during the fall to seek warmth and protection.  Walk around the exterior looking for ways small animals can enter your house and seal them off. A mouse can wriggle through an opening as small as a dime, so look carefully for those small holes.

Sealing up holes and cracks can also make your home more efficient so that it takes less effort and money to keep warm in the winter. All you need in most cases is weather stripping and caulking.

Disconnect garden hoses from faucets

When the temp gets close to freezing, you should disconnect your hoses. This simple task can potentially save you a lot of heartache later. Leaving them attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing pipes just inside your exterior walls. If the temperature drops below freezing, that water could freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes. Make this an early fall priority so a sudden cold snap doesn't sneak up and cause damage.

These simple tips can save you a lot of headaches during the winter months. Have a happy fall season in Albuquerque!

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