It happens every year. Just as you sit down with the remote control in one hand and snacks in the other, poised to watch an afternoon of football, you’re reminded of some task that needs to be done.
Avoid all that by creating a home maintenance checklist and working your way through it before game day. Here’s a guide to fall maintenance for your home to get you started.
- Inspect the weather stripping and caulking on windows and doors. Repair or replace any leaky spots.
- Clean the gutters and downspouts to prevent back-up that could lead to water damage.
- Walk around the house and look at the soil around the foundation. It should slope away from the house so that water doesn’t flow into and flood your basement.
- Disconnect and flush out all hoses, and store them in the garage or basement until the spring.
- Flush out the hot water heater to remove built-up sediment.
- Hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney, getting rid of any highly flammable creosote build-up.
- Turn off the water to the outdoor faucets and flush them out.
- Remove and store air conditioners. If you have central air, cover the outdoor unit.
- Clean and replace air filters so they’re not blowing dust into your rooms.
- Have your furnace and heating system inspected to avoid preventable repairs when the cold hits.
- Vacuum baseboard heaters.
- Check that all doors and windows shut tightly.
- Clean and inspect your home’s siding. Repair as needed. Or call Johnson County Siding & Windows.
