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Home Maintenance Checklist for Fall
and Winter
By Jamie
Jefferson
This morning, we
were surprised to find seven inches of fresh snow. It is much too early for all
of this, and my heart rate is still coming down from the struggle of finding
hats, snowpants, and matching mittens for each of my children before sending
them out the door for school. As much as I would like to deny it, winter is on
its way.
Here is a checklist of fall and winter home maintenance tasks to prepare your
home (and your family) for the colder temperatures ahead.
Outdoors:
♦Scrape peeling paint, and apply touch up paint to your siding, trim, and fences.
♦Check the condition of your deck and apply a waterproofing sealer if necessary.
♦Check weatherstripping on doors. Repair.
♦Check caulk on windows. Repair.
♦Clean and store patio furniture.
♦Clean and store bicycles, tricycles, and outdoor toys.
♦Wash all windows, inside and out.
♦Remove, clean, and store summertime screens.
♦Install storm windows and doors.
♦Check roof for damaged or missing shingles or problems with flashing. Repair.
♦Clear gutters and inspect downspouts.
♦Check sidewalks and driveways for cracks or other damage. Repair.
♦Locate your snow removal tools: snow shovel, plows, and snow blowers. Make sure
they are ready to go.
Lawn and Garden:
♦Blow out sprinkler systems and winterize or insulate exterior faucets and water
lines.
♦Drain and store garden hoses.
♦Fertilize and reseed your lawn.
♦Prune trees and shrubs.
♦Remove annuals.
♦Cut back perennials.
♦Rake leaves.
Indoors:
♦Schedule a cleaning and inspection of your heating system.
♦Inspect your fireplace and chimney. Call a professional chimney sweep if
necessary.
♦Perform seasonal maintenance on your hot water heater.
♦Schedule a professional carpet cleaning.
♦Clean and inspect dryer hoses and exterior dryer vents.
♦Change furnace filter, and plan to change your filter every month during the
winter. Monthly filter changes can really help reduce energy costs.
♦Check your air ducts. Call a duct cleaning service if it has been a few years
since your ducts have been professionally cleaned. If you have been changing
your furnace filter frequently and your ducts have been cleaned recently, simply
take off the register covers and vacuum inside.
♦Switch to warmer bedding. Replace cotton sheets with flannels. Add warmer layers
to beds.
♦Make sure your family members are outfitted with everything they need for the
cold winter months: Gloves, hats, boots, snowpants, warm socks, and coats.
♦Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors.
♦Check your fire extinguishers.
♦Talk about family safety plans and escape routes. Review your "meeting place" in
the event of a home fire to ensure that everyone knows what to do and where to
go.
♦Inspect your attic to make sure it is getting cool, fresh air and that there is
no evidence of condensation.
♦Check attic fans.
♦Prepare your home for a power outage. Check the batteries in your flashlights
and make sure they are easily accessible. Also, make sure to have a supply of
nonperishable foods, a manual can opener, and a traditional corded phone or cell
phone available.
Automobile:
♦Make sure your tires are adequate for the winter weather in your area.
♦Check your car battery.
♦Check antifreeze levels.
♦Make sure you have extra windshield wiper fluid in your car, as well as a brush
and ice scraper, blanket, jumper cables, and first aid kit. If you live in an
area where you expect extreme winter conditions, you will also want to keep a
tow rope, shovel, and a bag of sand or kitty litter to help your tires gain
traction on icy roads.
About the Author
Jamie Jefferson writes for
http://www.momscape.com . Visit today for the latest online
Coupon Codes including money-saving coupons for
Jamie's favorite site to buy winter clothing.
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