Your Yard Is Telling You Things About Your House

We spend a lot of time paying attention to what's happening inside our homes. A dripping faucet gets noticed. A strange furnace noise gets our attention. A crack in a wall might have us wondering what's going on.

But your yard can give you clues about your home too.

Fall is an especially good time to pay attention. Vegetation starts dying back, leaves are falling, we've had months of rain and summer weather, and the ground isn't covered with snow yet.

Before winter arrives in Southeast Minnesota, take a slow walk around your property and look for a few things.

Where Does the Water Go?

The next time we get a good rain, pay attention to where the water collects.

Do you have standing water near the house? Are there low spots where water consistently pools? Are your downspouts actually directing water away from the foundation?

Ideally, water should move away from your home rather than toward it.

A little standing water after a heavy rain doesn't automatically mean you have a serious problem, but patterns are worth noticing.

Look at Your Gutters and Downspouts

Fall leaves make gutters an obvious maintenance item, but don't just look at whether they're full.

Look at where the downspouts end.

If they're dumping water directly next to the foundation, consider whether the water needs to be directed farther away.

While you're looking up, check for gutters that appear loose, sagging, or damaged.

Look Up at Your Trees

Mature trees can be a wonderful part of a property, but fall is a good time to look at their relationship to your house.

Are large limbs hanging over the roof?

Are there dead branches?

Are branches rubbing against the siding or roof?

You don't necessarily need to start cutting trees yourself. Large or potentially dangerous tree work is something to leave to a qualified professional. The important thing is simply noticing potential issues before winter wind, snow, and ice arrive.

Notice What's Happening Near the Foundation

Walk the entire perimeter of your house.

Look for areas where soil has settled, vegetation is growing directly against the house, water appears to collect, or landscaping may be directing moisture toward the foundation.

You can also look for visible cracks or changes that you may want to keep an eye on.

Seeing something doesn't automatically mean you have a foundation problem. It simply gives you a reason to investigate further if something looks unusual.

Watch Where Leaves and Moisture Collect

Leaves have an amazing ability to find every corner of a property.

Pay particular attention to leaves collecting around drains, window wells, exterior stairs, basement entrances, decks, and against the house.

Keeping these areas reasonably clear can help water drain where it's supposed to go.

Your House Extends Beyond Its Walls

Home maintenance isn't just about what's happening inside the house.

The way water moves across your property, the condition of your trees, the slope of the ground, and the way your landscaping interacts with the home can all matter.

You don't have to become an expert in drainage or foundations.

Just pay attention.

A 10-minute walk around your yard this fall might help you notice something worth addressing before a Minnesota winter covers everything in snow.