Give your home some TLC before rain storms and cold temperatures will surprise you with an unexpected roof leakage or a high energy bill in Fall and Winter. Below are some of my family's checkpoints before I let them carve the Thanksgiving turkey:
Think Gutters: Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.
Be an Energy Efficient Ambassador: Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk.
Get on Top, Check Your Roof:Inspect your roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents.
Walks the Walks: Take steps to repair damaged sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
Chill out. Drain and winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.
Freshen Up: Clean or replace dirty furnace filters.
Give Your Furnace a Physical. Have a professional inspect your heating system.
Gather Round the Hearth. Check fireplaces for soot or creosote build-up. Better yet, schedule a visit from a reputable chimney sweep.
Keep the Humidifier Humming. Clean the plates or pads to ensure efficient operation.
Keep the Fires Burning: Wood stoves are making a comeback. To avoid a deadly situation, be sure to inspect yours before firing it up and check with your city for "No Burn Days".
Keep your family safe at home. A
home safety check should be an annual ritual in every household - I schedule this on the Fall Forward Day when I am not only switching the time on my clock but also test
smoke and CO monitors, inspect fire extinguishers, review
fire escape plans, have gas appliances checked and rid my home of clutter.
