Fall is the perfect time to take a closer look at your home and tackle the projects that are easy to ignore during the warmer months. Once temperatures drop, small issues like a drafty window, aging heating system or damaged roof can quickly become much bigger headaches.
Whether it’s a repair you’ve been putting off or an upgrade you’ve wanted to make, getting ahead of it now can help prepare your home for the colder months ahead.
Here are 7 home projects worth tackling this fall before winter arrives.
1. Have Your Roof Checked
Small leaks or damaged shingles can turn into much bigger problems once snow, ice and winter weather arrive.
Why it matters: A small roof issue is much easier to address before snow, ice and repeated freezing and thawing enter the picture. Water getting where it shouldn’t can turn a relatively contained repair into damage inside the home.
2. Service Your Heating System
Have your furnace, boiler or HVAC system inspected before you rely on it every day.
Why it matters: You’d rather find out something needs attention in October than on the first 20-degree night. Preventive maintenance can also help your system operate efficiently when it’s working its hardest.
3. Deal With Drafty Windows and Doors
Check for drafts, worn weatherstripping, damaged seals or windows that are simply past their prime.
Why it matters: Those little drafts become a lot more noticeable once temperatures drop. Addressing them can make your home more comfortable and help keep heated air where you actually want it: inside.
4. Check Your Insulation
Pay particular attention to attics, basements, crawl spaces and other areas where heat can escape.
Why it matters: Insulation isn’t something you see every day, but you’ll certainly notice when it’s not doing its job. Poor insulation can mean uneven temperatures, a harder-working heating system, and a less comfortable home all winter.
5. Clean Your Gutters & Check Drainage
Clear leaves and debris and make sure downspouts are directing water away from your foundation.
Why it matters: Clogged gutters aren’t just messy. Water that can’t drain properly can overflow, freeze and potentially contribute to problems with your roof, siding, or foundation.
6. Take Care of Exterior Repairs
Look at siding, masonry, decks, steps, walkways and other areas outside your home that need some attention.
Why it matters: Some exterior projects become much more difficult once temperatures drop. Taking care of them now can also help prevent existing cracks, gaps or damage from getting worse over the winter.
7. Finally Tackle That Bigger Project
Not everything has to be an emergency repair. Maybe you’ve been talking about replacing the kitchen, finishing the basement, updating a bathroom or taking on another major improvement.
Why it matters: You’re about to spend a lot more time indoors. If there’s a part of your home that isn’t working for you anymore, fall can be a good time to start figuring out what it would take to change it.
What if the project isn't in your budget right now?
You don’t necessarily have to pay for a major home project entirely out of pocket. If you’ve built equity in your home, you may be able to use a portion of it to help cover renovations or repairs.
Options like a HELOC or fixed second mortgage can allow eligible homeowners to access equity without replacing their existing first mortgage. Depending on the project and your situation, renovation financing may also be worth exploring.
Ready to tackle your next home project? Connect with an East Coast Capital loan officer to learn how your home equity could help make it possible.
