Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Whether you're selling or staying put, keep your home in tip-top condition all through the year with these seasonal tips…

• Check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. As temperatures drop, weak batteries get weaker. Replace back-up batteries in these safety devices.
• Get chimney, vents, furnace and other fuel-burning appliances checked by a qualified and licensed technician. Be sure all ductwork seams are tightly sealed with foil tape, not ‘duck’ or ‘duct’ tape.
• When using wood burning fireplace, open a window slightly.
• Check outdoor electrical receptacles to make sure they are water tight. If you have painted over them, gaskets will be stiff and cannot be counted on to be watertight. Install bulbs in any open outdoor light sockets; replace burned-out bulbs. Check to see that they have a weather-protective globe or surround if that is their design.
• Check windows and doors for cracks that can let in chilly drafts by holding a feather or tissue paper in areas where there may be leaks. If feather or tissue moves independently, you’ve got a draft. To solve this problem, apply caulk or weather stripping, both of which are available at local hardware stores. If windows or doors are in extremely poor shape, think about replacing them with energy efficient alternatives. Also make sure there are no drafts coming in around power outlets; these should be properly insulated as well.
• Check siding, brick, stucco, paint, trim and deck for signs of potential problems. This will help to avoid more costly repairs due to chipping and rotting.
• Avoid basement flooding and deterioration of foundation by cleaning gutter channels and clearing downspouts of leaves and debris. Replace deteriorating or broken gutters and downspouts. Be sure gutters and downspouts are securely attached. Be sure sump pump works.
• Have roof inspected for missing or cracked shingles, rusted flashings, and any signs of leaking or trees rubbing against it.
• Insulate water heater.
• Avoid bursting pipes in areas subject to freezing overnight temperatures. If you don't have frost proof outside hose bibs, shut off exterior faucets and drain pipes before temperatures drop. If you have standard frost free hose bibs, you should disconnect hose so faucet can drain.
• In garden, pull out annuals and cut perennials back to ground level. Turn over annual flower beds and vegetable gardens. Aerate and fertilize entire lawn. Plant flowering bulbs. Clean up leaves, branches and other debris.

For more information, look for how-to and home improvement books from Black & Decker, Time-Life, Taunton Press and Sunset available at hardware stores, home improvement centers and public libraries.