No matter where you live, seasonal temperature changes require special maintenance. Fall cleaning is necessary to keep your home's apperance in top notch shape and keep it in good overall condition.
Start now to prepare your home for the next two seasons....fall and winter.
This important fall maintenance checklist will help you ease into the cooler months ahead:
You should have a certified HVAC technician to clean and inspect your furnance once a year.
All flammable materials should be kept away from the water heater and the wiring, including all lawn and power equipment that are kept in common areas such as the basement, utility rooms and garage area.
During extra cold termperatures, turn up the thermostate and now is a good time to insulate exposed water pipes.
Keep debris from accumulating on the roof, gutters, and downspouts. Clean these areas out periodically to prevent damage to these structures. Remember this important tip during fall when leaves can build up inside of your gutters.
Check to make sure caulking is not deteriorated around windows and doors. If it has, recaulk these areas. Also check for weatherstripping. Replace if needed.
Your chimney should be cleaned and kept up once a year by a professional chimney technician.
Many people overlook something as simple as checking and replacing the furnance filter. Furnance filters can get clogged up and won't push warm air into rooms. This is an easy and inexpensive way to cut down on energy consumption and save on your energy bill.
The exhaust duct and space under the dryer accumulates lint, dust, and pieces of strings/ material. Now is a good time to clean these areas.
Frayed wires or loose fitting plugs can result in potential fire hazards from your electrical outlets. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.
Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation.
Smoke detectors should be maintanced and checked once a month for proper usage. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home.
When extreme cooler months arrive, close and drain hose bibs.
Rake debris away from side of house and other structures.
Check and note any cracks in your brick, rock, or stucco foundation.
Examine septic system drain field for flooding, odor; have tank pumped yearly or as needed.
With this fall maintance checklist, you can be on your way to an easy and enjoyable new season ahead. The wonderful season of fall!
Brought to you by your friendly home inspector at EXAMINER HOME INSPECTIONS,LLC.
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