Here are several areas to check and inspect before the cold arrives:
Gutters -- If you don't have them you should. Not only can they collect and direct rainwater away from your foundation, they can also help you to capture it for use in your indoor planters. Clean them out before and after the leaves fall. Even if you don't have trees shedding leaves, you will still have debris that collects and washes down into them. To make the occasional cleanup job even quicker, install gutter guards, which help prevent leaves from clogging up gutters.
Roof -- While you have the ladder out, take a look at the roof. Check for damaged or torn shingles and replace them. Also look for cupping or areas that look concave. The latter can can be an indicator of damage to your sub-roof. If in doubt, give your trusted roofer a call. Next inspect the flashing around skylights, the chimney and any roof vents. Replace bad flashing before a winter storm tests it for you. Also make sure that the caulking around the flashing is still doing the job. If not, a little touch up is in order. Also, make sure that you have a screen covering any gable vents to the attic, or pockets under the eaves. A warm, dry place is exactly what pests are looking for on a cold night.
Windows -- After the heat of summer, the seals around windows can expand and contract, and the rubber can become brittle. Check for air leaks around your home, including around window frames. If you find gaps, re-caulk as necessary. Check with your home improvement store. Caulk is sold in a multitude of formulas and colors. Make sure you are using the right mix for the job.
Chimney -- Over time, soot and creosote can build up in chimneys, which can become dangerous. Over time, the layers build up on the walls of your chimney flew and can restrict the air flow that is moving the smoke out of your fireplace and out of the house. The build up can also be afire hazard. You can clean out the ashes yourself, but if you use your fireplace often, schedule a more advanced cleaning with a chimney sweep each year. Another option is to purchase and burn a creosote sweeping log in your fireplace twice a year. Also, in seismically active areas it's always a good idea to check the structure of the chimney itself. Are there any broken or missing bricks, or has it started to pull away from the house? I've seen damage like this before in Orange County CA, so I know it must also occur in other markets.
Furnace -- Annual furnace maintenance is an important task to leave to a professional who can make sure the system is safely able to keep you warm throughout the winter. What can homeowners do? Change the air filter regularly to ensure proper and efficient airflow. Make sure that your vents are clean and free of debris. Consider a vent cleaning as dust and dirt that blow by your filter (that sometimes you forget to change) and lands in the duct work of the house where it can blow into your rooms thus creating moire sneezes and dusting. They make both disposable and reusable filters. All have rating for purity. If allergies are an issue, I would recommend looking at an air purifier upgrade for your furnace.
Detectors -- Fall is a good time to replace the batteries in both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Use daylight saving time as a reminder, and make the battery change right after you set back any of your unconnected clocks in your home. 9 volt batteries have gotten ridiculously expensive, but don't let that expense of changing them deter you. They sell inexpensive 9 volt batteries, as well as other sizes, for a dollar at most stores of this type.
Yard -- Fall is no time to skimp on yard maintenance. Make sure to keep the leaves raked or mulched, as leaves can hold moisture in the soil and cause a variety of lawn diseases. Fall is also the perfect time to aerate the lawn. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn that can require less watering. There are several tools available on the market, as well as service providers who will aerate and fertilize your lawn for you.
Drain Hot Water Heater -- Draining your hot water heater one or twice a year will remove sediment. Be sure to take a moment to make sure the pressure valve is working properly.
Clean Washer and Dryer -- Take this opportunity to clean and maintain your washer and dryer. Check the hot and cold water hoses for cracking and leaks. Clean or replace the water inlet filter on your washer. Move the dryer away from the wall, take the vent hose off of the back of the dryer, and use a vacuum cleaner to remove lint from the ducts. Lint build up is a huge fire hazard, so make sure you reach in there and pull out any large clumps of lint that might get stuck in the folds of the duct.
Trim Tree Limbs -- Check your trees for limbs that are growing dangerously close to power lines or to your roof. If you have tree limbs that are close to your roof or close to power lines, make sure they are trimmed before winter. Heavy snow and ice on branches can cause them to break, and fallen branches can cause lots of damage to your home or utilities. You don’t want to be stuck in the cold without power!
Looking for a new home? If you or a friend or relative is looking for a new home before winter arrives, have them contact me. I can help you sell your current home and find the perfect new home to spend your fall, winter, and beyond. Sign up to receive listings by email.
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