Safety should be the number one priority, no matter the time of year. There is a range of different steps you can take depending on the various times of year to reduce possible hazards and risks.
Use this checklist to make sure the exterior of your mobile home is ready for autumn.
1 – Install and check outdoor lighting
Tripping and slipping are a significant cause of injury around the home. A great way to prevent this is by lighting up your yard so that you are less likely to fall over something you can’t see.
An essential item on the list is to install outdoor lights and to check whether any existing ones are working. The vital areas are stairs, walkways, driveways, porches, and doorways.
2- Clean your gutters
Clean out any dirt and debris from your gutters. You need to check that they aren’t blocked and that there aren’t any signs of rust or leaks.
While you are at it, inspect your drains as well.
3 – Check the roof for leaks
One of the most critical tasks is to make sure your roof isn’t leaking. Over time, it can lead to water damage, mold, mildew, compromised structural integrity, and even fire hazards. Therefore, you want to fix any problems as soon as possible.
Look for missing or damaged tiles and any irregularities with the flashing.
But you don’t want to get hurt while doing this, so follow the necessary precautions.
4 – Make your porch slip-proof
Your lovely porch can turn into a major hazard in wet weather. It’s important that you examine it regularly and take steps to make it less slippery.
A few of these can be:
- Applying a non-slip coating
- Getting rid of mold
- Using abrasive strips
5 – Inspect the underbelly
Fall is a great time to perform some maintenance on your underbelly before winter.
The vital things you need to check for and repair are:
- Damage to the skirting
- Mold and mildew
- HVAC system and vents
6 – Close off the pool
Unfortunately, the time for swimming is probably up for this year. You want to start winterizing the pool in fall when the temperatures are beginning to stay below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
To do this, you need to clean the pool, add necessary chemicals, drain the filters, and close it.
7 – Check the integrity of the porch
Let’s get back to the porch. Besides making it slip-proof, you also want to its structural integrity is still intact. Weather and regular use will take a toll on the surface, and its support.
Start by inspecting the substructure of the porch and move on from there.
8 – Repair exterior trim and panels
Take a walk around the exterior of your mobile home. While you do this, systematically examine all the trim and panels. Look for any signs of damage like mold, holes, cracks, deterioration, and warping.
Repair and replace any damaged or missing sections.
9 – Trim your trees
To keep you and your property safe, you need to remove any dead or old tree branches in fall. Otherwise, they might break under the weight of snow and frost during the winter.
At the same time, you can trim off branches that are hanging close to or over power lines on your lot.
10 – Walkway, stair and railing safety
Navigating safely around your yard when it’s covered in frost and snow is quite a challenge. Therefore, you need to perform any necessary repairs and maintenance or problems during the fall.
Specific problem areas are:
- Cracks
- Missing pieces
- Mold and mildew
- General deterioration
- No railings on stairs or porches
11- Protect your plumbing
Winter and cold weather is just around the corner. So it might be a good idea to get ahead with your maintenance and protective measures. One significant risk that comes with the frost is that it could damage your plumbing and even cause your pipes to burst.
To prevent this, you should close off your outdoor faucets. And drain all the water from the pipes and hoses.
12 – Test your burglar proofing
You want to check any burglar proofing measures that you have several times a year. So it’s a great idea to include this on your seasonal checklist.
Depending on what measures you have in place you want to:
- Call your security company and arrange to test your alarm system.
- Check that your floodlighting is working as it should.
- Examine your fencing and security doors
13 – Pest prevention
When it comes to pests, prevention is truly better than cure. Once critters have claimed your mobile home as their own, it is much more difficult to get rid of them.
Make sure to:
- Screen any vents
- Close of gaps in your fencing, paneling, roof, and skirting
- Keep underbelly well ventilated and dry
- Install door sweeps
- Securely close trash cans
- Get rid of leaf clutter and any debris
Safe and happy fall
You can go through a similar outdoors safety checklist every year around fall. Keeping you, your family, and your property safe is an excellent way to help you enjoy the season with all its unique perks and celebrations.
For more help, read how to make your mobile home porch slip-proof before the rain comes.
