Southern California 2015 - Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall has arrived, although it doesn't quite feel like it. The cold temperatures will soon be welcoming us on a daily basis. This morning was the first time that I actually saw dew on the tips of grass as I took my dog for a walk. I am not sorry to say goodbye to our hot, muggy and humid Summer.
The National Weather Service put out an advisory alert on September 10, 2015. They are predicting that there is a 95% chance that El Nino will return throughout Northern Hemisphere this Winter and not dissipate till Spring of 2016. What does it mean for Southern California? Rain...lot of rain. We got to experience a couple of days of torrential rain, which brought flooding and mudslide to the Inland Empire. They are forecasting this year's El Nino to be the strongest since 1950's.
California surely needs the rain. Don't get me wrong, but Californians also need to be prepared for El Nino's return to our local mountains and community.
2015 Home maintenance checklist:
1. Inspect your ROOF - Look around with a binocular to check for broken tiles, shingles or loose seams. If you have any doubt, hire a roof inspector. Better have the issues resolved way before El Nino comes knocking. If you need to upgrade or make improvement to your roof, set up appointments right away, as roofers are booked months in advance. You don't want to leave your biggest investment unprotected.
2. Clean downspouts and gutters - Remove debris and hose your gutter with water to make sure it flows freely. A clogged gutter can cause serious damage to your roof. A little preparedness goes a long way.
3. Divert or extend your rain gutter away from your foundation - With the approaching rain, it is best to make sure water does not flow directly into your foundation or walls. It is recommended that rain gutters be extended an additional 3 to 4 feet away from your wall.
4. Clean your landscape drainage from any debris - It is best to sweep dead leaves and debris at or near your drainage before the return of El Nino. The drainage can't function properly if it is all clogged up.
5. Caulk around your windows and doors - Stop by your local hardware store and buy a couple tubes of caulking to seal off cracked or dried casings. It only cost about $4 to $6 dollars a tube. These inexpensive seals are the best preventative to a wet and moist interior. Silicon latex caulking tends to resist moisture much better than acrylic latex caulking. They come in white or transparency colors, although some stores are carrying colored caulking. This preparation is also another source to reduce your Winter heating bills.
6. Fertilized your lawn and trim down branches - Feed your lawn and prepare it for the cold Winter months ahead. I would add the importance of clearing any overhanging branches that are close to your property or fence. El Nino is bound to bring heavy winds and perhaps a few tornades.
7. Clean and put away outdoor furniture, BBQ and trampolines - This is the best way to protect your outdoor furniture so they are ready to be used next year. Clean and make sure your BBQ is stored away or secured properly. Winds in the Inland Empire are known to toss and lift trampolines and BBQ's to your neighbors property.
8. Clean and service your lawnmower, snow blower and generator - This is a tip for those who live in the mountains. Snow will soon be upon you. Make sure you test and tune up your snow blower and generator. You definitely don't want to be without it when you will need it the most. For those who don't have a generator, it is a good time to think about investing in one. El Nino might surprise you with a couple of cold and dark nights. If you are in need of garden tools this is also a good time to invest in these as end of season sales brings deals galore.
9. Replace your batteries and change filters - 
Fire department recommends that smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries be replaced every Spring and Fall. As we prepare to spend more time indoors as Winter approaches, it is best to replace air filters, furnace filters, and clean dryer vents.
10. Tune up your heating system - It is best to make sure your furnace is up to par for the cold season ahead. Usually a tune-up that coss a few hundred dollars will give you the assurance of a warm and cozy Winter.
11. Sweep your chimney - If you use your chimney more often than a central heater, it is best to have it cleaned and swept on an annual basis. This is to make sure it is working properly, and that there is no debris blocking the airflow in the flue.
12. Drain the water in your water heater - It is a necessary precaution to those neighborhoods that have hard water filaments. It improves the efficiency up to 50 percent.
13. Time to paint and spruce your front entrance - Holidays are just around the corner and you know you want to spruce up your curb appeal. Little gobblins will be knocking on your door very soon.... better wipe the windows, paint your front door, repair cracks and present your best foot forward.
A little Fall cleaning won't leave you unprepared for El NINO's return this Winter.
If you are thinking of selling or buying a home in the Inland Empire, contact the Eastvale Team at 951-707-9919. They know their market inside and out.
Southern California 2015 - Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
El Nino graph pulled from DNews on 9/2/15
Battery image from blog.codinghorror.com
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