Fall Checklist For Your Home
If spring is a season for deep home cleaning and freshening, then fall is for annual system checks, maintenance and repairs aimed at ensuring a safe, comfortable inside environment for winter. Even those living in milder climates will benefit from checking at least a few of the items off this winter home-prep checklist.
Roof
Any signs of damp — dark/brownish spots, peeling paint — on ceilings, around window frames, under overhangs, around chimneys, gutters and vents/vent pipes can signify roof rot.
Breaking or buckling shingles, growing moss/lichen, mold and algae are other signs it’s time to bring in a pro for a thorough roof inspection before deep cold and snow move in.
HVAC System
Now is a perfect time to bring in a professional service to inspect and perform regular maintenance on your home heating, cooling and air filtration system. Investing in a standard annual pro service contract saves money over the long term by extending system life and ensuring your home heats and cools maximum efficiency (lowering fuel costs). And because air filtration and flow are culprits in COVID-19 spread, expect these pro services to be in high demand right now. Book service sooner than later! If you decide to forgo a PRO service, at least check and replace air filters as needed.
Attic/Crawl Spaces
Icicles and ice dams can be hugely damaging. They form when heat from inside a home warms the roof, causing snow and ice to melt, run-down and refreeze as it encounters colder air at the eaves. The key to prevention is keeping the roof cool, which means using a combination of insulation and ventilation to block home heat from rising that far (another job for that roofing pro!) Also, ask your roofing pro to fill any openings that might invite bats, birds, squirrels and other small critters to seek warmth in your attic or crawl spaces.
Gutters/Drainage
Clogged gutters often take the blame for ice dams. And, while they aren’t the leading cause, they certainly make things worse. If you have trees overhanging your roof and gutters, consider bringing in a pro tree service for pruning. Clearing overhanging branches will also help to prevent damaging insects from transferring to and nesting inside your home. Wait for trees to finish dropping their leaves before cleaning gutters, and, while you are at it, test to ensure water from gutter downspouts drains thoroughly rather than pooling. If the latter occurs, fix drainage issues before the ground freezes, leaving you susceptible to basement flooding from heavy winter rainstorms.
Wood Trim/Doors/Window Frames
Rotting trim is a significant pathway for insects and other small critters seeking warmth to move inside for the winter. Inspect, patch and replace as needed.
Fireplace/Flues
Creosote — a dark, sticky wood-burning residue — is the main culprit in chimney fires. If you frequently burn in a fireplace, wood or pellet stove, have chimneys and flues professionally inspected and cleaned at least once every other year or so. Pro chimney sweeps will also check for and repair dangerous cracking in the flue pipes — a critical risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors
A popular recommendation is to replace batteries and test both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with the daylight savings time change, which occurs this year on Sunday, Nov. 1. It’s also a good idea to check the original paperwork and familiarize yourself with what signals to expect when these vital safety devices are nearing their end of life.
Masonry
It is essential to keep up with filling and sealing any cracks that may have formed in patios, driveways, walkways, outer stairways and home foundations, especially if you live in a zone where winter temperatures routinely dip below freezing. Water seeping into these cracks, freezing, and expanding can be a significant source of expensive-to-fix damage.
Irrigation Systems/Outside Water
Again, if you live in a deep freeze zone, be sure to shut off outside water sources and wrap any exposed pipes, fixtures, backflow valves, etc. with insulation. Bring in a pro service to blow out (with compressed air) or drain water from installed irrigation pipes.
Patio Furniture/Grill
Clean and either stow or cover patio furniture. Give your grill a final deep clean and, if gas-powered, detach the propane tank. (Note: Always stow propane outside; never indoors.)
Windows/Light Fixtures/Walls
With days growing shorter and darker, sparkling windows, light fixtures and walls are all great ways to brighten rooms and fend off (or at least minimize) seasonal depression. However, all are big, physically exhausting jobs, so consider treating yourself (or a loved one) to a pro window and deep house cleaning service.
Clothes Dryer
Finally, it’s time for a semi-annual deep clean of your dryer’s lint venting system, the buildup in which can be a significant fire hazard and also interferes with efficient drying.
