Fall Home Maintenance in Arizona: 8 Easy DIY Jobs for Cooler Weather

For most of the year in the Valley, outdoor chores come with a heat warning. By late October and November, mornings are cool, afternoons are comfortable, and the monsoon storms are behind us. That makes this the most pleasant window of the year to catch up on the small jobs that keep a house in good shape.

None of the tasks below need special tools or a ladder climb onto the roof. Most take less than an hour, and together they help your home get through winter rain, cooler nights and next year's heat with fewer surprises. If you only have one free Saturday this month, pick the first four.

Plants need much less water once temperatures drop, but many sprinkler and drip timers are still set for summer. The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association recommends adjusting your watering schedule at least four times a year, and fall is one of the most important changes. Overwatering in cool weather keeps soil soggy, can suffocate roots, and wastes money.

Shorten run times or water fewer days a week, and check for broken emitters or sprinkler heads that spray onto walls. Water that keeps hitting stucco or pools against the foundation can cause stains and damage over time.

If you plan to overseed Bermuda grass with winter ryegrass, the regional Water Use It Wisely program advises waiting until mid-October, once the Bermuda has slowed down. Seeding too early lets the summer grass compete and use up the energy it needs to come back in spring. Skipping overseeding is fine too: dormant Bermuda turns tan for the winter and uses far less water.

The first chilly morning is not the time to discover a problem with your heat. Set your thermostat to heat on a mild afternoon and run it for a few minutes. A short burning-dust smell the first time is common, but anything that lingers is worth a call to an HVAC technician.

While you are there, replace the air filter. Summer dust and haboobs load filters quickly in the Valley, and a clean one helps the system run efficiently all winter.

Arizona does not change its clocks, so we miss the twice-a-year reminder many states use to check smoke alarms. Make fall your reminder instead. The National Fire Protection Association recommends testing smoke alarms monthly, replacing batteries when an alarm chirps, and replacing the whole alarm 10 years after the manufacture date printed on the back. Check carbon monoxide alarms too if your home has gas appliances or an attached garage.

Monsoon winds leave leaves, dust and debris in gutters, downspouts and the scuppers on flat roofs. Winter rains are slow and steady, so water that cannot drain has time to back up under roofing or spill down walls. Clear what you can reach safely from the ground or a properly set ladder at the gutter edge, and run a hose through downspouts to make sure they flow.

Do not walk on your roof to clean it. Concrete and clay tiles crack under foot traffic, and falls are a real risk. If flat-roof drains or valleys need clearing, that is a job for a roofer. Our roof maintenance and safety FAQ covers what homeowners can safely do themselves.

You can learn a lot about your roof without climbing up. On a clear day, walk around the house with binoculars and look for:

• Cracked, slipped or missing tiles, especially along ridges and edges
• Lifted, curled or missing shingles
• Gaps under tile edges where birds may be nesting
• Flashing that looks bent or pulled away around vents, chimneys and skylights
• Blistering, cracking or bare spots on flat or foam roof sections

Then check inside: look at ceilings for new water stains and, if you can do it safely, peek into the attic for damp insulation or daylight. Anything you find after monsoon season is worth fixing before winter rain. Payne Roofing offers roof inspections with photos of what we find.

Cooler nights send insects, scorpions and rodents looking for shelter. Walk the outside of the house and seal gaps around pipes, wires and vents with the right sealant, replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps, and make sure attic and foundation vent screens are intact. Keep firewood, woodpiles and debris away from exterior walls, and trim plants so they do not touch the house or roof.

Branches that rub against roofing wear down tiles, shingles and coatings, and leaves clog valleys and gutters. Trim limbs back from the roof now, while it is comfortable outside. Large trees near power lines are a job for a licensed tree service.

If you plan to put up holiday lights in December, use clips made for your roof type, never nail or staple into roofing, and avoid stepping on tile. A quick look now also tells you whether any roof repairs should happen first.

DIY upkeep catches most small problems, but some jobs need a pro. Call a licensed roofer if you see active leaks, ceiling stains, several damaged tiles or shingles, or soft or sagging areas. Arizona roofing contractors must be licensed with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, and you can check any license at roc.az.gov.

Payne Roofing is a family-owned Gilbert roofing company that has served Arizona since 1984. We work across Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler and the rest of the Valley. Call 480-988-9250 for a free estimate, Monday through Friday from 7 to 5 or Saturday from 8 to 2.