September in Bedford is a transition month. Summer heat begins to fade, but there is still plenty of comfortable weather for taking care of projects around the house. I recommend using September to look for wear from summer and handle a few jobs before falling leaves and colder weather arrive.

  1. Check Basement and Crawl Space Moisture:
    Summer humidity and heavy rain can leave damp areas behind. Look for musty smells, water stains, condensation, or mildew. Finding moisture now gives you time to determine where it is coming from before fall rains add to the problem.
  2. Inspect Garage Door Hardware:
    Open and close your garage door while listening for unusual noises. Look over hinges, rollers, tracks, and weather seals for visible wear. Leave adjustments involving springs or cables to a trained professional.
  3. Clean Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans:
    Dust can build up on exhaust fan covers and reduce airflow. Clean accessible covers and surrounding areas so moisture can escape more easily when windows stay closed during cooler weather.
  4. Look Over Steps and Handrails:
    Inspect porch steps, basement stairs, and outdoor railings for loose boards, screws, or wobbling. Repairing these areas now improves safety before wet leaves, frost, and snow make surfaces slippery.
  5. Inspect Exterior Drainage:
    September is a good time to check low spots around your yard. Make sure soil has not washed away near the foundation and that water continues to drain away from the house.
  6. Check Weather Seals on the Garage:
    Look along the bottom and sides of your garage door for cracked or missing seals. Replacing worn material can help keep out rain, leaves, pests, and cold air.

A September walk-through can uncover small problems while Bedford homeowners still have plenty of good weather to make repairs.