Be Prepared & Safe for the Coming Winter:
Perform These Chicagoland
Fall Home Maintenance Measures Now
Seems like we were just talking about the beginning of warm weather and summer pursuits ...
But here we are ... already putting pumpkins, cornstalks, and fall mums out to 
decorate our homes.
Yes, it's hard to believe, but Fall has officially arrived and colder temperatures can't be too far behind.
That, of course, means that fall maintenance chores should be done. And whether a personal residence or an investment property, there's plenty to do. Performing fall maintenance chores now will prevent breakdowns, damage, or discomfort during the harsher, colder weather that's sure to come though.
To help you prepare your home and property, I've put together a Fall Maintenance Checklist. Feel free to print this handy checklist up!
Be prepared and protect you and your family this Fall and Winter by performing the preventative home maintenance measures on this checklist now. You'll have peace of mind throughout the coming cold winter months ...
- Change your summer screens to cold weather storm windows & doors
- Inspect/Repair loose or damaged door and window frames
- Install new weather stripping or caulking
- Replace your furnace filter
- Have a heating check/tune-up performed on your furnace/heating system by a heating professional
- Inspect (and clean, if need be) your heating ducts and vents
- Have your fireplace cleaned & checked by a licensed chimney sweep
- Check/Add fire extinguisher(s) in your home
- Check the batteries/connections for your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Check your attic insulation. Add insulation, if needed. Make sure insulation is NOT covering vents
- Check the attic for signs of "critters". Place screens on attic vents to prevent their entrance
- Make sure pipes are insulated, especially those towards outside walls
- Clean and vacuum dust from all vents, baseboard heaters, cold-air returns
- Drain/Clean your hot water tank
- Check for dampness in your basement/basement floor
- Clean your kitchen range hood filter
- Check your crawlspace for water, mold, "critters", more.
- Reverse ceiling fans
Outside your Home:
- Drain/Turn-off water sprinkler systems & outside faucets
- Check the condition of your roof
- Check the condition/status of your outdoor lights
- Clean gutters & downspouts
- Check and fix siding panels, seal gaps/cracks in stucco, Dryvit, brick, stone walls, tuckpointing
- Place screens on chimney caps to prevent "critters" from entering your home
- Check/Clean your sump pump discharge pipe
- Check soffit, fascia, house trim for moisture damage. Scrape loose paint, caulk, and apply a new coat of paint, if needed
- Clean your dryer vent and hose, inside and outside
- Repair cracked driveways & sidewalks
- Divert water from your home. Add extension hose/pipe from downspouts so water runs at least 3 to 4 feet from the foundation
- Stock some winter-weather essentials such as salt and ice melt
- Put away any summer equipment or lawn care tools
- Fertilize your lawn
- Trim low-lying tree/bush limbs from around power lines and roof of your home
- Store outdoor patio furniture
- Maintenance lawnmower/empty gas from the tank
- If you have a snowblower, maintenance/check-up for coming winter use
Contact me today. I'll put my 40+ years of mortgage experience hard to work on your behalf.
I'm easily found at:
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