shutterstock_215924530September is here, even if the weather may still feel warm enough to be August. Nevertheless, fall is on its way, and it’s time to prepare your home for the upcoming cool temperatures and other fall climate patterns. Now that the summer fun has ended and the fall focus has begun, it’s the perfect time to focus on your home to see what needs updating, cleaning, or fixing.

Gutters

Start by checking out the gutters around your home. It’s easy for them to get clogged during the fall, so take a close look at all the gutters as well as any downspouts that you can find. If you do spot any leaves, mud, or other debris clogging them, clean them out right away.

Seal the cracks

Inspect your doors and windows to see if any cracks or gaps have developed since the last time you checked them. If there are some (and there undoubtedly are, unless you check every month), do weather stripping and caulking to seal those right up.

Roof repair

It’s a good idea to be familiar with your roof, so get up there and check it out to see if the shingles or vents are damaged in any way. If some shingles are curling, damaged, if the flashing is corroded, or if the vents are leaky, it’s time to get some repairs done (whether it’s you or hired help doing it).

Sidewalks and driveways

Look down towards your feet to see if the driveway and sidewalks around your home are suffering any kind of damage. Don’t forget about the steps either, as those can be quite dangerous if they are not adequately maintained. Remember, fall maintenance and cleaning isn’t only for aesthetics and cleanliness -- it’s for your personal safety, too.

Drain and winterize

Be certain to drain your outdoor faucets and to winterize them properly for the incoming cold months. This is doubly the case for people living in particularly cold climates. The same goes for irrigation systems -- drain and winterize!

Check the furnace

Since winter is coming and the cold is likely going to mean using your furnace, be sure to check your furnace (when it’s not in use) to see how those filters are doing. Either clean them off or get new ones to be sure they are fresh and ready to go for when you start heating up your home.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to hire someone who know’s what he or she is doing to properly inspect your furnace. If you haven’t done this before or haven’t done it in a while, this should move to the top of your list.