FALL HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

There are things that should be checked out yearly on your home. Routine home maintenance needs to be done to prevent major problems, especially in the Fall before the snow flies.

If you are a new homeowner, and don’t quite know what to do, use this checklist to help get you started!

·     Check your roof out. You want to make sure there are no leaks around the roof, vents, skylights, and chimneys.  Look for damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing at joints with siding, vents and flues, as well as damaged mortar around the chimney. 

·     If your attic has no ridge vent, make sure you keep the gable vents open year-round to ensure the proper ventilation.

·     Clean out your gutters and drain the pipes. It don’t want to leave them clogged, you want to be sure they drain away from the house. Drain your outside faucets too.

·     Replace your filters or clean them once a month or as needed.

·     Clean and check out the dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood, and room fans.

·     Make sure the vents are clean and free from furniture or draperies.

·     Make sure all of your safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are working. You need to replace batteries as needed or at least twice a year.

·     Remove window air conditioner units and put weatherproof covers on them.

·     Make sure your refrigerator doors are sealed airtight.

·     If you have a coil-back refrigerator then vacuum the coils at least twice a year.

·     Stock up too; a full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one.

·     Check for leaky faucets throughout the house and replace washers as necessary.

·     Seal your drafty doors and windows.

·     In the fall, take down screens and replace with storm windows.

·     Look for cracks or holes in the house siding or paint. Replace the caulk if necessary.

·     Check your basement walls for dampness and clean your dehumidifier if you have one.

·     Have your heating system serviced in the fall.

·     Drain your hot water heater and remove the sediment from the bottom of the tank.

·     Remove excess leaves and damaged branches surrounding the house.  Now that leaves have fallen off of the trees, it's a good time to remove any dead branches.  Dead branches have the potential to break and fall, ruining roofs or decks.

·     Have your heating system serviced in the fall.

This checklist will help you keep your home in working order so that neither you, nor potential future home buyers, will have problems with the home.