
The leaves have started to turn and fall so now is a good time to start thinking about home maintenance before winter. We found a pretty thorough checklist on houzz.com: Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist. Below are the highlights of the checklist:
- Keep an eye on the overnight low temperatures and plan to shut off exterior faucets and drain and store hoses.
- Check walkways, railings, stairs and the driveway for winter safety. Fix any problem areas now to make for easier shoveling once the snow is here.
- Vacuum radiators, baseboard heaters and grates. Vacuum beneath the cover of your radiator if it's removable before replacing.
- Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed.
- Remove window A/C units or cover with an insulating wrap.
- Rake leaves in the yard and clean gutters and downspouts.
- Mice and other small animals will soon be looking for a place to stay for winter. Make sure there are no holes or gaps in your home's exterior where they may enter.
- If you notice any dead or sick trees, call and professional to inspect them and see if they need trimming or removal.
- Replace or add weatherstripping to doors and windows.
- Schedule furnace maintenance and chimney cleaning if applicable.
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