facebook noscript pixel

Fall Home Maintenance

The dog days of summer will soon be replaced by fall’s cooler weather and stunning canvas. It’s the perfect season to prepare your home for the months ahead with smart, proactive maintenance. Milder temperatures make it easier to take care of key tasks like checking your attic’s insulation or replacing filters before winter weather sets in. Here are five essential tasks for your fall home maintenance checklist if you live in Arizona or New Mexico.

1. Roof Inspection: Check for Signs of Aging & Attic Leaks

Fall is the best time to inspect your roof, especially after intense summer heat and monsoon storms. From the ground, use binoculars to scan for:

  • Cracked, curled, or missing shingles or tiles
  • Damaged flashing or seals around chimneys, vents, and skylights
  • Signs of storm damage or abnormal wear

Also, on a bright day, check inside your attic for stains or leaks.
A well-maintained roof not only helps prevent water damage from sudden fall showers but also protects your attic and insulation from moisture and mold. Remember, catching small problems early will prevent costly repairs down the road.

This filename is SEO-friendly and descriptive—perfect for a blog post on roof inspections or fall home maintenance. Let me know if you want a web-optimized version or caption to go with it.

2. Gutter Cleaning: Help Prevent Water Damage

Your gutters play a crucial role, even in the dry Southwest. They direct rainwater away from your roof and foundation. But fall leaves, needles, and even the occasional Frisbee can clog them fast.
To properly clean your gutters:

  • Scoop out debris like mud and leaves
  • Rinse them thoroughly to check water flow
  • Look for sagging, leaks, or gaps

Clogged gutters cause overflow that can damage your roof, siding, and insulation. Clean them each fall (and spring), and more often if you have trees nearby. And don’t hesitate to call a professional to do the job for you.

3. Checking for Air Leaks: Help Stop Energy Loss

Air leaks let cold air in and warm air out, wasting energy and raising bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 30% of energy loss happens through windows and other openings.
What to do:

  • Look for drafts around doors and windows
  • Replace worn weatherstripping
  • Use caulk or sealant on gaps and cracks
  • Install outlet gaskets on exterior walls
  • Make sure recessed lights are properly sealed

Leaks can be hard to find, so consider getting a professional energy audit. Having a well-sealed home will not only help keep out pests and dust but will save you money.

4. Changing HVAC Filters: Better Airflow & Air Quality

Changing your furnace filter is a small job with big benefits. A dirty filter makes your heating system work harder and lowers indoor air quality. Switch out your filters regularly and consider upgrading to pleated filters with higher MERV ratings.
HEPA filters trap up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pet dander, and bacteria. They help keep your air clean and your system working properly, especially as you spend more time indoors with the cooler weather.

5. Evaluating Attic Insulation Levels: R-Value Recommendations

Fall is an ideal time to check your attic’s insulation levels, when temperatures are cooler, and inspecting your attic is a more comfortable job.

When checking on your attic’s insulation, it’s important to identify the type of insulation you have and the condition it’s in. Look for gaps, compression, or moisture damage. You’ll also want to make sure you have the right amount of insulation. You may even discover your attic doesn’t have any insulation. It turns out that 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S., including New Mexico and Arizona, are under insulated.

Installing proper insulation and air sealing in your attic is a cost-effective home upgrade with significant energy efficiency returns. It helps reduce drafts and temperature fluctuations and can save you up to 15% on your annual heating and cooling bills. And even better, local utilities offer rebates to offset your energy efficiency improvement costs.

Follow these insulation guidelines, based on your region’s climate zone. Southern areas will need less insulation compared to more northern or high-altitude regions. Remember higher R-values mean better insulation performance.

Arizona

  • Follow the guidelines for climate zones 2 through 5
  • Attics should have between R38 to R60 of insulation, equating to about 10-14 inches of fiberglass or cellulose insulation

New Mexico

High Performance Conditioned Attic System by Owens Corning.

6. Don’t Forget the Extras

Round out your maintenance routine with these final tips:

  • Store your patio furniture and clean the gas grill
  • Drain and store your lawn mower
  • Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries if needed
  • Make sure your fire extinguisher is charged and inspected annually

Count on Banker Insulation

This fall don’t wait for problems to find you. Use this fall home maintenance checklist to protect your investment, boost comfort, and save energy. Whether it’s cleaning gutters, sealing air leaks, or upgrading your home’s insulation, every task you complete helps make your home safer and more efficient for the season ahead. Never hesitate to hire a professional to ensure your home is weather ready.

At Banker Insulation, we work hard every day to ensure the homes throughout our New Mexico and Arizona communities are energy efficient and ready for every type of weather. When you need expert energy efficiency solutions for your home, you can count on our expert team to get the job done right. Contact us today to learn more about our insulation options.

Works Cited