Home maintenance checklist
Here’s a helpful home maintenance checklist for this fall. It includes some items that most homeowners tend to overlook. For your convenience, please print this and keep it where you can see it.
The furnace filter should be replaced every three months. An easy way to remember this is to inspect on the first day of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Or the first of each quarter (January, April, July, October).
Inspect ducts, filters, and heating equipment. It may be best to clean and vacuum vents, ducts, and other heating components. Use a certified HVAC professional, if necessary. Many offer special discounts during the fall season.
Open and close the fireplace damper to make sure it works properly.
Clean the chimney of ashes if you haven’t done so since last winter. A good New Year’s resolution would always be to clean up the ashes in a timely manner.
Clean the inside of the fireplace. Don’t want to cover yourself in soot? Leave the dirty work to a chimney sweep. If you can’t get Mary Poppins, try the yellow pages.
Install a top screen on your chimney to keep out debris and animals. Raccoons have even been known to fall down chimneys!
Check the levels of your propane or oil tanks. Most likely you will need to replenish the supply.
Inspect and repair all pipes. To avoid freezing problems in colder climates, drain and turn off outside faucets.
Cleaning gutters and downspouts. You don’t want little “trees” growing in your gutters next spring.
Inspect roof for loose shingles. Tip: If you have some roof shingles left over from your roofing job, store some right away in an inconspicuous outdoor area where they will be exposed to the elements. They will wear out along with the shingles on your roof, and if you need to replace an occasional shingle in the future, they will blend in nicely with the rest of the roof.
Check for leaks around roof vents, skylights, and chimneys. You may want to hire this from a professional who is properly certified and insured.
Pressure wash and seal the deck. One layer should be enough.
Check for cracks in concrete and seal properly.
Inspect foundation walls and seal small openings. It’s amazing how rodents and insects can squeeze through even the smallest holes, especially those where pipes or cables enter the house. Proper sealing also protects against moisture damage and heat loss.
Protect outdoor items like patio furniture, grills, and hoses. The best protection is indoor storage in a basement, garage, or shed. If this is not possible, wrap or cover them securely. Remember to drain the hoses first.
