In Fargo and the surrounding area, the transition from summer to fall can happen quickly. Before long, furnaces are running, leaves are filling gutters, overnight temperatures are dropping, and eventually snow makes parts of the exterior difficult to see.
You do not need to perform a full home inspection every fall. A simple walk around the house can help you spot maintenance items that are easier to address while the weather is still cooperative.
Here are some areas worth checking before fall arrives.
1. Drainage Around the Foundation
Water management is one of the most important things to pay attention to around a home.
Walk around the exterior and look at how the soil slopes near the foundation. Ideally, surface water should have a clear path away from the house rather than collecting next to it.
This is especially important around Fargo/Moorhead where soil conditions can contribute to foundation movement.
Look for:
• Low areas next to the foundation
• Soil that has settled beneath decks or steps
• Areas where water appears to collect
• Downspouts that discharge directly beside the house
• Landscaping that may interfere with drainage
Small changes in grading can develop gradually, so something that worked well several years ago may not manage water as effectively today.
2. Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters have a simple job, collect roof water and direct it away from the house.
Before leaves begin falling, look for gutters that are loose, damaged, or visibly holding debris. Downspouts should also be connected and able to discharge water away from the foundation.
Once the leaves come down, gutters may need another cleaning.
A clogged gutter can allow water to spill over the edge instead of reaching the downspout. When temperatures eventually fall below freezing, drainage problems can become more difficult to deal with.
3. Take a Look at the Roof
You do not need to climb onto the roof to give it a basic visual check.
From the ground, look for obvious changes such as missing or damaged shingles, displaced flashing, damaged roof vents, or tree branches contacting the roof.
If you are not comfortable evaluating the roof yourself, leave the closer inspection to someone who can do it safely.
Late summer and early fall are useful times to address roof maintenance because snow cover can eventually hide much of the roof surface.
4. Exterior Caulking and Penetrations
Look around windows, doors, utility penetrations, exterior vents, and other openings through the siding.
Caulking does not last forever. Over time it can shrink, crack, separate, or deteriorate.
The goal is not to seal every opening you see. Some parts of an exterior wall assembly are intentionally designed to drain or allow airflow.
Instead, look for obvious deterioration in areas that were originally intended to be sealed.
5. Siding and Exterior Trim
Walk around the house and look for siding or trim that has become loose or damaged.
Pay particular attention near the bottom of walls, around windows and doors, and anywhere vegetation is growing against the house.
Wood components may also need periodic painting or sealing. Addressing exposed or deteriorated finishes before winter can help limit additional weathering.
6. Windows and Exterior Doors
Cold weather has a way of making window and door problems much more noticeable.
Open and close accessible windows and exterior doors. Look at the condition of weatherstripping and check for damaged components.
Condensation between panes of insulated glass can indicate a failed seal in the glass assembly. That does not necessarily mean the entire window needs immediate replacement, but it is useful to know about before winter.
Click here to learn more about broken window seals
7. Prepare the Heating System
The first cold morning is not the ideal time to discover that the furnace is not operating properly.
Before heating season, check the furnace filter and replace it if needed. Make sure supply registers and return air openings are not blocked by furniture or stored belongings.
Depending on the age and condition of the equipment, this can also be a good time to have the heating system professionally serviced.
If your home has a fuel burning heating appliance, carbon monoxide alarms are another important item to check.
If your attic is safely accessible, late summer can be a useful time to look for obvious concerns before cold weather arrives.
8. Attic
Things such as insulation levels, ventilation, and air leakage can affect how a home performs during a Fargo winter.
These conditions can also play a role in ice dam formation.
Ice dams are often noticed when snow is already on the roof, but some of the conditions that contribute to them may be identifiable well before winter.
Click here to learn more about preventing ice dams
9. Hose Bibs and Exterior Plumbing
Outdoor plumbing is easy to forget when the weather is warm.
Before freezing temperatures arrive, disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets. If your home has plumbing that requires seasonal winterization, make sure you understand what needs to be done before temperatures drop.
This is also a good time to look for dripping exterior faucets or damaged fixtures.
10. Pay Attention to Basement Moisture
Late summer can be a good time to check basements and crawlspaces for signs of moisture.
Look along foundation walls and floors for staining, damp areas, or other evidence that water may have entered.
Remember that moisture does not always mean there is a major foundation problem. Sometimes the solution involves improving gutters, downspouts, grading, or indoor humidity control.
Understanding where moisture is coming from is more useful than simply covering up the evidence.
11. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are easy to overlook because they spend most of their time quietly mounted on a wall or ceiling.
Test the alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions and check their age.
If you are unsure whether your home has appropriate alarm locations, that is worth looking into as well.
A Little Maintenance Before a Fargo Winter Goes a Long Way
Preparing a home for fall does not need to involve a major renovation or an expensive list of projects. Start with a walk around the property.
Look at the roof, gutters, drainage, exterior walls, windows, doors, heating equipment, and areas where moisture has shown up before. The goal is simply to understand the condition of your home and take care of reasonable maintenance while conditions are still favorable.
For homeowners in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and surrounding North Dakota and Minnesota communities, this is especially useful because winter can limit access to many exterior components for several months.
And if you are buying a home this fall, a professional home inspection can provide a broader understanding of the home’s visible systems and components before winter arrives.
Nordic Inspections provides professional home inspections throughout the Fargo, Moorhead area and surrounding communities. If you have questions about what is included in an inspection or are preparing to purchase a home, give us a call or text at 701-566-1446 ext. 0