Fall is a great time to get your home ready for the cooler months ahead, especially when you live by the coast, such as in Del Mar, CA. Coastal living comes with its own special challenges, from salty air to damp weather, which can affect your home in unique ways. A good home maintenance routine in the fall will help protect your investment and keep your home comfortable all season long. Here’s a friendly, easy-to-follow checklist for homeowners in Del Mar to prepare their homes for fall.
Check Your Exterior for Weather Wear
The salty ocean air can be tough on your home’s exterior. It’s normal to see some wear and tear after summer.
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– Inspect your paint and siding: Look for peeling paint, rust spots, or cracks in stucco or siding. These cracks can let moisture in and cause damage. Touch up or repaint where needed to keep your walls sealed.
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– Clean your gutters: Leaves and debris can clog gutters. Blocked gutters can cause water to back up and damage your roof or walls. Clean them out so they drain properly.
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– Look at your roof: Coastal weather, combined with fall storms, can loosen shingles or cause damage. Check for missing or broken shingles and make repairs before winter rains.
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– Check doors and windows: Make sure seals and weather stripping are intact to keep out drafts and moisture. Fix any gaps to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Take Care of Your Outdoor Living Spaces
Del Mar’s mild weather means many families enjoy using patios, decks, and outdoor furniture even through the fall.
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– Clean outdoor furniture: Salt and sand can wear down furniture faster. Wash cushions and frames to prevent damage.
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– Seal your deck: If you have a wood deck, fall is a good time to clean and reseal it. This keeps water from soaking into the wood and causing rot.
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– Trim plants and shrubs: Salt and wind can stress plants. Trim back overgrown branches and remove dead plants to reduce pest issues and keep your yard healthy.
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– Store or cover grills and tools: Protect grills, lawn mowers, and gardening tools from moisture by covering or storing them in a dry place.
Prepare Your HVAC and Plumbing
With cooler weather on the way, making sure your heating and plumbing are ready is important.
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– Check your heating system: Have your furnace or heat pump inspected and serviced so it runs efficiently. Change filters to improve air quality.
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– Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: This is a good time to replace batteries and test alarms to keep your family safe.
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– Inspect pipes: Coastal homes can have pipes exposed to chilly ocean winds. Protect outdoor pipes with insulation to prevent freezing or damage.
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– Drain irrigation systems: Fall is a great time to turn off and drain irrigation to prevent leaks or broken pipes during the wet season.
Keep Moisture and Mold in Check
Coastal areas often have higher humidity, making moisture control essential.
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– Check for leaks: Look under sinks, around toilets, and in basements or crawl spaces for any signs of water damage.
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– Clean vents and seals: Make sure dryer vents and bathroom fans work well to reduce indoor humidity.
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– Inspect for mold: Damp coastal air can lead to mold growth, especially in shaded or less ventilated areas. Clean visible mold with proper solutions and consider a mold inspection if you suspect a problem.
Protect Your Home’s Safety and Comfort
Fall is also a good time to review safety features and small fixes that improve your home’s comfort.
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– Change light bulbs: Replace exterior bulbs with weather-resistant types for fall and winter safety.
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– Check outdoor lighting: Make sure walkways and entrances are well-lit for safety as days get shorter.
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– Trim tree branches: Coastal winds can bring strong gusts. Trim overhanging branches to reduce the risk of damage to your home during storms.
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– Stock up on essential supplies: Keep gutters, hoses, outdoor outlets, and emergency kits ready in case of storms or power outages.
Taking the time to maintain your home in the fall will save you time, money, and stress later on. Coastal living in Del Mar is beautiful but requires some extra care to protect your home from salty air, storms, and damp conditions. Using this checklist will help keep your home comfortable, safe, and looking good as you transition into the cooler weather.
If you find any repairs that are beyond your comfort level, don’t hesitate to call a local professional. It’s always better to tackle problems early before they grow into expensive repairs.
Happy fall, Del Mar homeowners! Keep your home in tip-top shape and enjoy the season by the sea!
Source: build-review.com
Header Image Source: Dorothy Riley on Unsplash
