Fall is a prime time to refresh your home since the weather is not too hot or cold. It is also a convenient time to embark on indoor and outdoor renovation projects, as both areas are enjoyable to lounge in. You can do many projects independently or with the help of experienced professionals. Here is a list of essential tasks you can add to your September home maintenance checklist.
Refresh Your Kitchen Style
The kitchen is one of the most frequented places in a home by the residents and guests alike. Nowadays, most homes have an open kitchen concept that makes the space part of the main living area, requiring regular maintenance. Changing your kitchen style on your September home maintenance checklist is a worthwhile task.
You can do a complete makeover, changing the floors, countertops, backsplash, sink, and more. Alternatively, select a few areas and update them for a more straightforward yet impressive approach to your kitchen renovation. Try switching out the color scheme of your countertops, backsplash, and walls without replacing them.
A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets will add to the dramatic change. You can do all this in a DIY project with some elbow grease and intensive research on your preferred changes. Try switching out your light fixtures for pendant lights that provide more ambiance. If you want to splurge, replace your faucet with a fancier piece for a luxurious look.
As a tenant, consider temporary options like using wallpaper instead of painting. Also, use peel-and-stick tile for your backsplash and contact paper on your countertops. These are easy to install and take off, leaving no damage to the original surface; the products are also easy to purchase as they are available in most hardware shops and supermarkets near you.
Upgrade Or Repair Your Gutters
Fall presents an opportune time to deal with all the debris and leaves that pile up in your gutters from preceding seasons. You can clear them out yourself or hire a professional roofer to get the job done. Most times, you will need to give the space a nice sweep, and you may go the extra mile to wash it with a hose.
Once the debris is cleared, you can identify whether there is a need for repair work. Some signs to look out for include cracks, breaks at the seams, peeling paint, and water damage around the gutters. You may also witness rusting, sagging, or pulling as an indicator that you need gutter repair as a priority in your September home maintenance checklist.
If repairs are too costly or unsustainable, your roofer will recommend a gutter replacement to save you money. While this may cost more, it is an opportunity for you to choose a modern design that benefits your house. Technology has encouraged the manufacture of modern designs which are more durable and practical.
Some reliable options include vinyl, aluminum, and galvanized steel gutters, which are lightweight and rust-resistant. Vinyl gutters are famous for their affordability, easy installation, and durability. You may also opt for zinc or copper gutters, which are low maintenance, can withstand extreme weather, and are resistant to warping and bending.
Switch To Energy-Efficient Windows
Window replacement should be a priority in your September home maintenance checklist if you still have single-pane windows. These are the least energy-efficient windows in the market, meaning keeping them costs you money in HVAC bills. You can resolve this problem by installing double-pane windows.
Double-pane windows have two barriers on either side and air between the two sides. Their unique design is ideal for energy efficiency as it keeps the warm air out during warmer seasons like Fall and summer, leaving your home cooler for longer. They also come in various designs, making them ideal for whatever type of windows you currently have in your home. When you hire a window replacement contractor, they can customize the windows to fit your frames seamlessly.
In addition, you may install vinyl frame windows, which are famous for their resilience against extreme weather. This option saves you money in the long run as the windows do not rust or corrode, thanks to their PVC materials and UV stabilizers. You can skip any future DIY upgrades as these windows won’t require any painting and are excellent at resisting moisture.
Add more personality to your windows by installing custom blinds, shades, and drapes. There’s so much to choose from in the market. It is best to select low-maintenance options that won’t keep you cleaning repeatedly instead of enjoying your time outdoors. Choose bright colors like white that hide dust better than darker colors.
Renovate Your Bathroom
While you may not spend much of your day in the bathroom, having a neat space you can enjoy is uplifting. A simple way to elevate your bathroom is to hire cabinet design services to refresh your cabinetry. They can remove the existing design and install a new one that matches your changing style and personality.
Alternatively, you may begin a DIY project by painting the cabinets and replacing the hardware to make them feel brand new. This option is more straightforward and will cost less than a complete replacement job. Once done, try organizing the inside of the cabinets with dividers and small baskets to keep all your products looking neat. If you leave with other people, label the baskets for easy identification by other family members.
You can do a more detailed job by replacing your shower with a tub or vice versa. These alterations will change the flow of your bathroom and may require some plumbing work, too. However, they will give you and your family a new experience to spruce up your self-care routine. You can add some greenery and ambient lighting for a spa-like environment.
Refresh Your Landscape
The warm fall weather is ideal for gardening and landscape maintenance as it does not overwhelm you with extreme heat. Add lawn care to your September home maintenance checklist to keep your outdoors presentable. Often, outdoor projects come off as intense, but you can break them down into smaller tasks to make them more manageable.
Your Fall landscaping project can begin with simple tasks like mowing the grass, trimming the shrubs, and removing weeds. These create a good base for more detailed studies that improve aesthetics. You may buy some plants from your local store to add more greenery to your outdoors. If you have trees, hire a tree company to trim the branches to prevent the tree from overshadowing other plants in the space.
Flowers are a great way to introduce more colors to your outdoors. Have designated flower beds where you will plant our favorite Fall flowers. Some great options for this season include colorful mums, bright yellow sunflowers, daisies, roses, and purple pansies. These thrive in the warm weather and blend well with evergreen shrubs and perennials.
Consider doing some hardscaping to complement your lawn and garden. You can create a simple walkway with stone steps leading to the house or garden if you need more money for a well-crafted walkway. Put up some signage to highlight the different features in your garden, and add some humor to entertain your guests as they spend time outdoors.
Declutter and Organize Your Home
Your September home maintenance checklist should feature some organization effort to keep your home clutter-free. Researchers suggest that our physical environment indicates our mental and emotional state. Decluttering your home has many physical, emotional, and mental benefits you must learn about.
Decluttering reduces dirt buildup, a common cause of respiratory problems like colds and flu. It allows you clear space for more meaningful belongings. Cleaning out your home improves your mood and mental state by reducing the stress from the mess. Undoubtedly, the results will make you feel happier, more confident, and less anxious.
Now that you know the benefits, you can begin decluttering using simple methods like the popular Marie Kondo approach. Remove anything that does not bring joy, and keep all items that create a sense of contentment. Also, discard anything that you haven’t used in the past year, as you will likely not need it in future years.
Have an organization system for every room, and try to keep all belongings as open as possible, meaning you can see everything you own when brushing through your closet or drawers. You can store seasonal items like summer, holiday, or winter decor in the attic, basement, or garage storage boxes. A reliable garage storage system can help you clear your living areas while maintaining organization for your stored items.
Upgrade Or Service Your HVAC system
You can focus on your HVAC needs as part of your September home maintenance checklist. Depending on the brand, An HVAC system will last you at least ten years before replacement. You can get optimal unit performance by scheduling regular maintenance at least once a year. A maintenance program investigates potential issues and repairs them before they worsen and cost you more.
You need an HVAC repair service if your equipment is making unusual noises, is not cooling your home evenly, does not start, or uses too much electricity. Hiring an HVAC repair company will keep your house nice and cool this Fall. While snoring, you don’t pay more than needed for electricity.
Repair Or Replace Your Roof
Fall is free of extreme weather, making it an excellent time to inspect your roof for potential problems and repair them without weather disruptions. Hiring a professional roofing contractor for this job is recommended for safety purposes. They have the necessary tools and expertise to do the job while protecting your family and themselves from avoidable accidents.
Most roofers will provide a detailed report after inspection to guide the following actions in your September home maintenance checklist. You need a roof repair if you have missing shingles, roof leaks, ponding water, damaged flashing, and shrinkage. Your contractor will inform your decision-making by providing interventions that meet your needs and budget.
You need a replacement or roof layering services if the damage is extensive. Roof replacement will require you to gut out the existing roof and place another made of the same or different material. If you have shingles, you can save money through roof layering, which allows you to place another roof on top of the existing one. However, the new layer must be of the same material, and there should be at most one existing layer.
Refresh Your Deck and Patio
The Fall season allows you to spend more time outside as the weather warms up. It is an excellent time to think about refreshing your deck or patio as part of your September home maintenance checklist. You can begin by sanding down the dark to remove the existing stain before restaining it with a new shade that appeals to you.
Add some new railing for additional support-you can use contrasting materials like metal for a more stylish look. Refresh your outdoor furniture by cleaning it thoroughly and adding decorative pieces like colorful throws and pillows. Also, add greenery at different points to make the space match the nature around it.
Refresh Your Carpet
Do a DIY project or hire a carpet cleaner to refresh your carpet and rugs. If you choose to DIY, sprinkle baking soda on the mat and let it sit for 2 to 5 minutes before vacuuming. Alternatively, hire a carpet cleaning machine to clean your carpets with soap and water and use a fan to speed up the drying process.
You can hire more advanced options like soapless carpet cleaning services from a reputable company. They use ionized water to clean carpets without soap, detergent, or toxic chemicals. The technology does not drench the rug with water, significantly reducing drying times. Since no soap is used, no residue is left on the carpet, which reduces the chances of re-attracting dust, keeping carpets cleaner for longer.
You can add many tasks to your September home maintenance checklist to refresh your home this fall. You can tend to your roofs, gutters, landscape, garden, deck, and patio as part of your outdoor activities. Pay additional attention to your bathrooms, kitchen, HVAC system, and carpets when undertaking indoor tasks.