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Fall Home Maintenance Checklist!

By Kathryn Gorham

Real Estate Agent with Green Key Realty

September 11, 2013 12:22 AM

As cooler weather comes, we all need to jot down a few things on our to do list to make sure our homes, and our clients homes, are ready for it. If you wnat to read the full article check it out here:

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/seasonal-maintenance/fall-checklist/

1. Stow the mower.

"1. When the mower is cool, remove the spark plug and pour a capful of engine oil into the spark plug hole.
2. Pull the starter cord a couple of times to distribute the oil, which keeps pistons lubricated and ensures an easy start come spring.
3. Turn the mower on its side and clean out accumulated grass and gunk from the mower deck."

2. Don’t be a drip.

"Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing pipes just inside your exterior walls."

3. Put your sprinkler system to sleep.

"Drain lines so that they don't freeze with cooler weather:

1. Turn off the water to the system at the main valve.
2. Shut off the automatic controller.
3. Open drain valves to remove water from the system.
4. Remove any above-ground sprinkler heads and shake the water out of them, then replace."

4. Seal the deal.

Grab a couple of tubes of color-matched exterior caulk and seal up cracks in siding etc.

5. De-gunk your gutters.

6. Eyeball your roof.

"Look for warning signs: Shingles that are buckled, cracked, or missing; rust spots on flashing. Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be replaced immediately. "

7. Direct your drainage.

"Take a close look at the soil around your foundation and make sure it slopes away from your house at least 6 vertical inches over 10 feet. That way, you’ll keep water from soaking the soils around your foundation, which could lead to cracks and leaks."

8. Get your furnace in tune.

"Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling pro to get your heating system checked and tuned up for the coming heating season. You’ll pay $50-$100 for a checkup.

An annual maintenance contract ensures you’re at the top of the list for checks and shaves 20% off the cost of a single visit."

9. Prune plants.

"Late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees — when the summer growth cycle is over. Your goal is to keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so moisture won’t drip onto roofing and siding, and to prevent damage to your house exterior during high winds."

10. Give your fireplace a once-over.

"To make sure your fireplace is safe, grab a flashlight and look up inside your fireplace flue to make sure the damper opens and closes properly. Open the damper and look up into the flue to make sure it’s free of birds’ nests, branches and leaves, or other obstructions. You should see daylight at the top of the chimney."