Fall home maintenance visit

Why a fall visit

Valley summers are long and hard on houses. Sun dries caulk and paint, wind loosens screens and gates, and sprinklers soak the same walls all season.

Fall is when the first storms arrive, nights cool down, and people turn on the heater and close the windows. A single visit that works through a checklist catches small problems before they turn into a leak, a draft or a dead smoke alarm at two in the morning.

The checklist

• Water heater: flush sediment, test the pressure relief valve where safe, and check the venting and strapping. See how we flush water heaters.
• Smoke and CO alarms: test each one, replace batteries, and note any past their replacement date. See smoke and CO alarms.
• Windows and doors: check caulk and seals, replace worn sweeps. See window caulking.
• Hose bibs and irrigation: fix drips, replace worn washers, and look for leaks at valves.
• Under sinks: look for slow leaks, check supply lines and shutoff valves.
• GFCI outlets: press test and reset on each.
• Screens and gates: tighten, adjust, and note repairs.
• Exterior walk-around: look for cracked stucco, peeling paint on trim and soft wood.

Gutters and downspouts within reach

On single-story homes, we can clear gutters from a ladder and check that downspouts drain away from the house, adding extensions or splash blocks where water dumps against a wall.

Heating season prep

Before the heater runs for the first time, change the furnace filter if it is easy to reach and the size is known, clear stored items from around the furnace and the water heater, and make sure the CO alarm near bedrooms works.

Storm prep

Clear drains near the driveway and patio, check that the sump or yard drain is not blocked, and secure loose fence boards and gate latches that bang in wind. Tie down or store lightweight patio furniture and umbrellas. We can do the small fixes on the same visit.

What you get

At the end of the visit, you get a short written list by text or email: what we did, what we saw, and what can wait. Photos of anything that needs attention are included. Nothing on the list is done without your OK, and many small items are handled right then.

Who it suits

Busy families who never get to the checklist, owners of rental units who want a yearly look between tenants, adult children looking after a parent’s house, and anyone new to homeownership who wants to know what to watch. It also pairs well with a spring visit focused on screens, cooling and sprinklers.

Booking

Fall dates fill up in October and November. Text us your address, the age of the home, and anything you already know needs attention, and we will schedule a visit and quote the time it takes.

What we do not do

Roof walking, gas appliance service, tree trimming and pest work are outside what we do. When we notice one of those needs attention, we note it on your list so nothing slips through the cracks.

Older homes

Older homes across the valley can still have galvanized supply lines, original shutoff valves and aging window frames. A fall visit is a good time to note which of those are near the end and plan replacements over the next year, instead of reacting to a failure.

New owners

If you just bought a house, the inspection report likely listed small items. We can work through them during a fall visit.

Why the water heater matters

Minerals in tap water settle as sediment in the bottom of the tank. That sediment makes the heater work harder, rumble and wear out sooner. Flushing once a year, often in the fall before heavy winter use, keeps it running quietly. We check the age on the label too, so you can plan ahead if it is near the end of its life.

Alarms before heater season

Carbon monoxide risk rises when gas furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces run more. Fall is the right time to test every CO and smoke alarm, swap batteries and replace units past their date.

Small fixes add up

Most fall lists include things like a running toilet, a dripping faucet, a sticky door or a loose handrail. Doing them during the maintenance visit saves a second trip and a second trip charge. Add anything you have noticed to your text when you book.

A spring visit too

Many owners pair the fall visit with a spring visit focused on screens, ceiling fans, outdoor lighting and sprinkler leaks, before the heat arrives.