No matter where you live, seasonal changes in temperature and moisture levels require maintenance. Check out these fall maintenance tasks to help maintain your house in good condition.

• Change the batteries in your smoke detector. Fire experts suggest changing the batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember—change your batteries at the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time.
• Drain a gallon or two of water from your water heater to extend its life expectancy.
• Clean your roof gutters of leaves and other debris.
• Trim shrubs and trees so that they clear the foundation, exterior walls, and roof of the house. Shrubbery that’s too close to the house can promote the growth of mildew, mold, and algae, particularly during warmer weather. Root growth can damage foundations. Limbs can scrape paint on siding and trim.
• Examine the roof for evidence of damage to roof coverings, flashings and chimneys. Check for evidence of leakage and condensation or vermin activity. Level out insulation if needed.
• Inspect the exterior walls and foundation for evidence of damage, cracking or movement. Watch for bird nests or other vermin or insect activity
• Clean windows and test their operation.  Improve caulking and weather stripping as necessary.  Watch for evidence of wood rot in window frames.  Paint and repair window sillls and frames as necessary
• Inspect for evidence of boring insect activity.
• Test overhead garage door opener. Ensure the auto reverse mechanism is operating correctly.  Clean and lubricate the hinges, rollers and tracks.
• Clean or replace the exhaust hood filters
• Fertilize your lawn: once in mid-September and again in October.