Autumn Maintenance

Autumn is here! School is back, football is back, and that seasonal list of jobs to get

done before winter is back. But unlike your seasonal allergies, it doesn’t have to

give you a headache. Dare knows everything your property needs for

autumn maintenance and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

 

Prevent Flooding with Autumn Maintenance

One of our favorite things about autumn are the gorgeous leaves. But they can be

dangerous if left unchecked. All of that foliage must go somewhere. Without proper

leaf removal and scheduled sweeping, they’re likely to end up in places you’d rather not have them.

 

Autumn Maintenance: A photo of pretty fall leaves still on their branches.

Image courtesy of Aaron Burden.

 

When the wind blows the leaves around, they tend to gather and clump in places

such as the corners of fences and courtyards, but also in inlets and dry retention basins.

If your inlets and retention basins are filled with leaves, they can’t

do their jobs properly when it rains, which could result in flooding.

 

Protect Your Sprinklers with Autumn Maintenance

It’s important to winterize sprinkler systems as well as beds and grass. If you fail to

winterize your sprinkler system in the fall, you may be dealing with burst pipes in the winter.

Winterizing beds and grass fortifies them for the winter. Putting in the

work now will ensure your grass comes back healthy and green.

 

Autumn Maintenance: A photo of a lawn sprinkler shooting water.

Image courtesy of Paul Moody.

 

Protect Your Pavement with Autumn Maintenance

Now is the perfect time to schedule some power washing to remove any dirt or debris

that might have found its way into cracks in your pavement. Cracks are the biggest

issue you want to sort out early, as they can become a big problem when the weather turns colder.

 

A photo of a crack in some asphalt.

Image courtesy of Tim.

 

Asphalt expands in the heat of the summer months, allowing dirt and debris

to enter the cracks. The colder weather causes the asphalt to contract,

thus worsening the crack. Autumn provides the ideal temperatures for sealing and repairing cracks:

“Sealcoating should only be applied when temperatures are above 50 degrees for at least 24 hours.”

 

Autumn Checklist: A series of photos showing a small crack in the asphalt that led to a big repair of an inlet.

Protect Your Lawn with Autumn Maintenance

If leaves are allowed to accumulate on your lawn, they can cause the growth of fungus.

Fallen leaves provide the “perfect cellulose-based food source” for mold spores to

grow and cultivate. When leaves are left to pile up, they create a layer of

insulation on top of your grass, trapping in heat and moisture. All of this creates the

perfect conditions for mold. Mold causes grass to look patchy, as shown below.

These patches are often referred to as “dollar spots.”

 

Autumn Checklist: An image of a lawn with ‘dollar spots' with a water bottle for perspective.

Image courtesy of  ag.umass.edu

 

But this isn’t the only reason why leaf removal is vital for your property. Dead leaves also

provide the perfect environment for bugs and other small critters to thrive. The leaves offer

warmth and moisture for any animals seeking such a refuge. Fallen leaves can also

cause weeds to grow come springtime, as a buildup of

leaves prevents the grass from getting enough sunlight and nutrients.

 

A photo of sunlight shining through a nearly bare tree of red leaves.

Image courtesy of Andrus Lukas.

 

Ready to Get Started?

Dare is ready to help you get started with everything you need involving your autumn maintenance.

Just click the link below to get your quote today!

Get My Quote!

 

Featured image courtesy of Aaron Burden.