It’s true, preventive maintenance is not the most exciting way to spend your free time but it does pay off in the long run.

If you’re tempted to put off autumn preventive maintenance around your home, remember this proverb: A stitch in time saves nine. It’s always easier—and cheaper—to correct a small problem around the house. Before winter blows in, make sure you give your home the TLC that will protect your investment and prevent bigger problems later.

Clear gutters

Gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris force water into places where it’s not meant to be. This can lead to damage to your home’s roof, foundation and landscaping. And in winter, blocked gutters can lead to ice dams that force water under shingles.

Clear those gutters! If you’ve never done it before, check out this how-to video from Lowe’s.

Seal air leaks

Air leaks don’t just create uncomfortable drafts, they also drive up energy bills and can contribute to moisture problems. Plus, some gaps are even big enough for critters like mice to sneak in.

Caulking and weatherstripping are two effective air sealing techniques that nearly any homeowner can do. See all the trouble spots typically found in homes and get tips from the U.S. Department of Energy here.

TLC for trees and shrubs

Inspect your trees and shrubs for damaged, diseased or overgrown limbs. Remove or cut away anything that could fall during a winter storm. Pay close attention to any limbs or trees that could damage buildings or cars if weighted down by snow and ice.

Only cut or remove what you can safely do and follow these safety practices. Hire a professional if the job is beyond your skill and tool set.

Prepare exterior faucets

A frozen pipe can lead to extensive damage to both your home and belongings. Preparing your exterior faucets is straightforward: disconnect hoses outside and turn off the water at the shutoff valve inside. After turning off the water supply, open the faucet to let any remaining water out, then reclose it.

Maintain your heating system

It’s easy to ignore heating system maintenance when your furnace is providing heat on demand. However, a system that isn’t maintained is more likely to break down, especially at the most inopportune times, like when you have a houseful of guests at Thanksgiving. Do yourself a favor (and avoid emergency call fees) by scheduling a tune up now. Heating technicians can catch small problems before they turn into major repairs.

Patch the lawn

Bare or thinning patches of grass detract from your home’s appearance. Address lawn problems before they get larger and costlier to correct. Fall is an ideal time to patch or overseed your lawn because the soil is warm and the air is cooler.

Here are tips for getting the best results when repairing or overseeding your lawn. If poor turf health is due to compacted soil, fall is also a good time to aerate your lawn.

Consumers helps more than 1,000 members finance land, first and second homes, and home improvement projects each year. When you need a mortgage or home equity line of credit, call us at 800-991-2221. We’re here to help you get the home of your dreams!