Get ahead of the first freeze and add this 12 point home maintenance checklist to your honey do list for this weekend!

Can you feel it? The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing and ‘pumpkin spiced’ everything, is everywhere. This is the time of year when homeowners get so caught up with their home life that they accidentally neglect their actual home. Home improvement expert, Adam Helfman, has come up with the ultimate fall home maintenance checklist to help homeowners survive winter. Knock these out before that first big snowfall and we know you’ll thank us later.

  1. Seal the cracks: Caulk is cheap, so grab some caulk and seal the cracks around windows and doors.
  2. Get a heat audit: Who needs an audit? You doA heat loss audit of infrared thermography will show you exactly where your heat escapes and gives you an idea where and how you can fix it.
  3. Clean the vents: Get your ducts in a row! Have your vents and ductwork cleaned –-the air outside your home is actually cleaner than the air inside.
  4. Clean the gutters: Clogged gutters and downspouts create ice dams that can wreck a roof and fallen leaves turn to sludge after awhile.
  5. Check your roof: Stay on top of this one! The first sign of a leaky roof is a loss of money! Have it inspected before winter and you’ll sleep easier knowing you are preventing something bigger from happening.
  6. Cover your pipes: Consider adding insulating pipe or “blankets“ to prevent pipes being exposed to brutal cold. Let a good plumber check your whole system, it’s best to be preventative when it comes to water problems.
  7. Furnace check up: The heat is on so get with the program! An annual furnace check up is a must. Change air filters and if you can, have a programmable thermostat installed. It’s more efficient and will keep you more comfortable all winter long.
  8. Check the chimney: Do a clean sweep and check for bird nests and other elements in your chimney. Impediments like that can cause carbon monoxide to back up into your home. Yikes!
  9. Change fire alarm batteries: Get ahead of the annoying chirp and change the batteries in all smoke detectors. And if you don’t have a carbon monoxide monitor, you can find them at your local home improvement store or online for a low cost.
  10. Clean up the yard: Dead branches gotta go! They do nothing for appearance and they can cause problems in a number of ways. Go ahead and clean and store garden tools away and get that snow blower and shovels ready.
  11. Close the air conditioner: Turn the air conditioner off and clean up the outside of it by pruning back bushes and give it some room to breathe.
  12. Inspect pathways: Walk the walk and check your driveway, stairs and pathways. While you’re at it, walk the whole property for a general inspection. A few easy steps will prevent you from taking a dangerous one when it’s icy.

Prevent winter from wreaking havoc on your home this year by following this ultimate fall home maintenance checklist. Now some take action and get this done this weekend!