The days of summer have come to an end. It is time to start saying goodbye to the scorching temperatures, beach vacations, and lazy days of relaxing by the pool. But even though the blissful summer months are reaching their finale, we have so much to look forward to with fall. Fall means football, bonfires, hayrides, pumpkin picking, apple cider – and home maintenance.

Not expecting that last detail? While there are so many fun activities to enjoy during the fall season, this is also an important time to tackle many home maintenance projects around your house. Maybe you didn’t want to work on the exterior of your home during the blistering heat of summer, but you also need to get it done before temperatures drop significantly in the winter. Or maybe you simply did not have time to take care of some of the interior details with all the parties and vacations happening during the summer, but you also want to get things done before the holidays arrive.

To help you take advantage of this time of year, following are a few home maintenance projects that you may want to add to your to-do list this fall.

1. Trim the trees and bushes around your home.

Fall is the perfect time to take care of the landscaping projects that are easy to put off the rest of the year. For the really large trees on your property, it may be best to hire a professional who can identify if there are issues with the health of any of your trees. Additionally, having a professional trim your large trees acts as an extra precaution to keep both you and your home safe.

For the smaller trees and bushes that you feel confident in trimming yourself, fall is an ideal time to address them because it is easier to detect disease or poor health. By pruning your trees and shrubs, you can encourage new growth in the landscaping on your property.

2. Clean out all the gutters and downspouts.

The cooler fall temperatures are perfect for being outside while cleaning out the gutters and downspouts on your home. At the start of fall, it is best to give everything a very thorough cleaning. As the leaves fall throughout the season, you can continue cleaning them out every few weeks, if possible. Especially if you live in an area that is densely populated with trees, things can quickly begin to fill up and get clogged.

If you feel uncomfortable climbing up that high to tackle this cleaning, do not hesitate to hire a company to come clean your gutters and downspouts for you. They can get it done quickly, and it will save you a lot of hassle later on.

3. Give your porches or decks a good cleaning.

While you may not have been spending a ton of time on your back porch or deck lately with the sweltering summer temperatures, things are about to change. There is nothing better than enjoying your morning coffee or evening glass of wine while lounging in your backyard haven. Go ahead and give your porches or decks a thorough cleaning to make the most of your space. You may be surprised just how dirty the space can get in a short amount of time. Hose off the furniture, wash your outdoor cushions, and sweep away any cobwebs that may have collected.