Fall is a great time to get your home ready for a great winter. Prevent chaos and disaster by taking care of irrigation systems, roofing and heating during fall.
Winterproof irrigation and outside faucets
If you live in an area with freezing weather, take steps to ensure that outside faucets and inground irrigation systems don’t freeze and burst.
Close any shut-off valves serving outside faucets, then open the outside faucet to drain the line. (There may be a small cap on the faucet you can loosen to facilitate this draining.) If you don’t have shut-off valves, and your faucets are not “freezeproof ” types, you may benefit from styrofoam faucet covers sold at home centers.
To freezeproof an inground irrigation system, follow the manufacturer’s procedure for draining it and protecting it from winter damage. Many inground sprinkler systems will have ways to easily blow out with an air compressor so be sure to check that out!
Check for roof (and gutter) problems
Once your roof starts dripping, it’s going to take a lot of time to find the source of the problem. How about stopping these problems before ice and winter winds turn them into disasters?
Start by inspecting your roof top-to-bottom.
Check ridge shingles for cracks and wind damage. Look for damage to metal flashing in valleys and around vents and chimneys. Scan the entire roof for missing, curled, or damaged shingles. Look in your gutters for large accumulations of granules, a sign that your roof is losing its coating; expect problems soon.
Roof-mounted television antennas may have guy wires holding them in place. Look for loose or missing guy wires. If you see some, and your antenna is no longer being used, consider having it removed altogether.
Gutters
Your roof will divert thousands of gallons through its drainage system away from your home’s exterior and foundation. That’s why keeping your gutter system is so important. Clogged gutters can create ugly problems in your exterior surfaces and also make water leak into your basement. Before the leaves start falling, make sure to clean those gutters and get these amazing guards to keep them like that. Job well done!
Clean furnace filter
Furnace filters trap dust that would otherwise be deposited on your furniture, woodwork, and so on. Clogged filters make it harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, and can seriously increase your utility bills. A simple monthly cleaning is all it takes to keep these filters breathing free and clear.
Disposable filters can be vacuumed once before replacement. Foam filters can also be vacuumed, but they don’t need to be replaced unless they are damaged. Use a soft brush on a vacuum cleaner. If the filter is metal or electrostatic, remove and wash it with a firm water spray.
Inspect furnace/heater
Once a year, it’s a good idea to have your heating system inspected by a professional. To avoid the last-minute rush, consider scheduling this task in early fall before the heating season begins.
Here are signs that you should have an inspection performed sooner:
Noisy Belts: Unusual screeches or whines may be a signal that belts connected to the blower motor are worn or damaged.
Poor Performance: A heating system that doesn’t seem to work as well as it once did could be a sign of various problems. Your heating ducts might be blocked, the burners might be misadjusted, or the blower motor could be on its last legs. One check you should be sure to conduct: Make sure your furnace filter is clean.
Erratic Behavior: This could be caused by a faulty thermostat or a misadjusted furnace.
Check your fireplace and chimney
Even if you use your fireplace only occasionally, you should check it annually for damage and hazards.
Inspect Your Flue for Creosote: Creosote is a flammable by-product of burning wood. If it accumulates in a flue or chimney, the result can be a devastating fire. Have your chimney inspected annually for creosote buildup. If you use a fireplace or wood stove frequently, have the flue inspected after each cord of wood burned.
For most people, the best option is to have your entire chimney system inspected by a chimney sweep. Once you know what to look for, you can perform the inspection by shining a bright flashlight up the flue, looking for any deposits approaching 1/8 inch thick. These deposits should be cleaned by an experienced chimney sweep.
Look for Flue Blockages: Birds love to nest at the top of an unprotected flue. A chimney cap can prevent this from happening. If you don’t have a cap, look up the flu to ensure that there are no obstructions.
Exercise the Damper: The damper is the metal plate that opens and closes the flu just above the firebox. Move it to the open and closed positions to ensure that it is working properly.
Check Your Chimney for Damage: Make certain that the flue cap (the screen or baffle covering the top of the chimney) is in place. Inspect brick chimneys for loose or broken joints. If access is a problem, use binoculars.
Give your humidifier a look
You may know that bone-dry winter air is bad for your health, but did you also know it can make fine wood more prone to cracking? You and your home will feel more comfortable if you keep your central humidifier in tip-top shape during the months it is running.
First, inspect the plates or pads, and if necessary, clean them in a strong laundry detergent solution. Rinse and scrape off mineral deposits with a wire brush or steel wool.
Clean your gas heater
Keeping a gas heater in good shape is both a safety and a cost issue. An improperly maintained heater can spew poisons into the air of your home, or it may simply be costing you more to operate. Have a professional check these devices annually. There are also some maintenance items you should address.
First, shut off the heater. Then check the air-shutter openings and exhaust vents for dirt and dust. If they are dirty, vacuum the air passages to the burner and clean the burner of lint and dirt. Follow the manufacturer’s advice for any other needed maintenance.
General Cleanup
The Checklist:
☑ Winterproof irrigation and outside faucets
☑ Check for roof problems
☑ Clean furnace filter
☑ Inspect furnace/heater
☑ Check your fireplace and chimney
☑ Give your humidifier a look
☑ Clean your gas heater
☑ General Cleanup
