Remove garden hoses from spouts. Drain and store for the winter.
Drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
Trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or the roof of your house. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage in the winter.
Add compost, manure and mulch to garden beds.
Bring in any clay pots before freezing weather.
Clear debris out of window wells, gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions.
Check weather stripping on windows and doors for fit and condition. Replace as necessary.
Check windows, doors, and siding for holes and cracks. Caulk as necessary.
Have chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.
Nail down loose boards on trim or siding, scrape loose paints or stain from trim and apply new coat of paint.
Inspect all soffit vents and other venting systems to make sure they're clear of debris.
Check bricks or blocks for cracked mortar or loose joints.
Check painted surfaces for paint failure, water damage, or mildew.
Check caulking where two different materials meet, where wood siding joins the foundation wall, at inside corners, and where the window and door trim meets the siding.
Check for loose putty around glass panes.
Check for broken or cracked glass and damaged screens or storm windows. Replace if necessary
Insulate outdoor faucets, pipes in unheated garages, and pipes in crawl spaces with materials such as rags or newspapers.
Check the slope of the planting beds to ensure that water will drain properly away from the foundation.
Check the foundation, concrete slabs, and yard for settling of backfill soils, fill as needed to maintain proper drainage.
Check for cracks or deterioration in driveway, steps, walkways and patios. Reseal and repair if necessary.
Clean and store yard tools and patio furniture.
Sweep garage floors and vacuum rafters and window sills.
Discard old paint cans and pesticides properly. Oil based paints and thinners should be taken to a hazardous waste collection site. Avoid placing items near an open flame.
Locate or buy a snow shovel.
Wash the windows and screens. To prevent spotting, wash windows when not in direct sunlight.
Inside:
Have furnace checked and serviced if necessary.
Review safe fireplace operation.
Wash the windows and screens. To prevent spotting, wash windows when not in direct sunlight.
Remove dirt and dust from window and door tracks. Lubricate rollers and latches.
Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers, making sure water is flowing through them freely. Use an environmentally safe drain cleaner if necessary.
Test all smoke alarms (when standard time resumes). Replace batteries as necessary.
Test the ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) monthly by pushing the test button, which should then cause the reset button to pop up. Then reset.
Do a version of spring cleaning: Open the windows and clean your home before the chilly weather sets in. This will allow you to enjoy a clean home for the holidays.
Outside:
Check roof for icicles indicating potential ice dams.
Keep environmentally friendly product on hand to keep walkways free of ice to eliminate slips and falls.
Inside:
Check basement for leaks and seepage during thaws.
If leaving the house for an extended period, avoid frozen pipes by opening the cabinet doors to allow heat to reach the pipes. Don't turn the heat completely off.
Check and clean the range hood filters on a monthly basis.
Check appliance hoses for bulges or leaks, replace as needed.
Check the overall condition of the interior paint on the walls, baseboards and trim- clean, scrape, sand, patch or fill holes. Prime and paint as needed.
Clean aerators in the kitchen and all of the bathroom faucets. Replace any washers if needed.
Deep clean carpets, vinyl, laminates and wood floors.
Clean portable humidifier, if one is used.
Clean ceiling fan blades.
Clean bathroom exhaust fan grills & fan blades.
Discard accumulated junk. Clean the dryer vent. Unhook the leads to the vent and clear as much lint from the tube as you can.
Test the ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) monthly by pushing the test button, which should then cause the reset button to pop up. Then reset.
Adjust the registers and make sure that the cold air returns are clear of furniture and draperies.
Apply a fresh coat of grout sealant to all grout lines.
Close fireplace damper when not in use.
Inspect water heater’s temperature pressure relief valve for signs of leaks or discharge.
Learn how to shut the main water shut off valve at either the basement or at the utility closet.
Repair and seal any cracks in the basement floors and walls.
Clean and store summer clothing. Check the condition of items for donation or tossing. Unless you have enough kids to warrant hand me downs, send kids’ clothes to donation center, church, or a homeless shelter.
Outside:
Remove debris from around the air conditioner and have professionally checked and cleaned.
Remove debris from gutters, downspouts and downspout extensions.
Inspect gutters for signs of sagging or damage.
Inspect roof for damage and have repaired if necessary.
Check chimney flashing to make sure it is secure in the mortar joints.
Check mortar joints in brick or stone walls and chimneys and have repaired as necessary.
Check weather stripping on windows and doors for fit and condition.
Trim back overhanging tree limbs and prune bushes away from the house if overgrown.
Check painted surfaces for paint failure, mold, mildew or rot.
Remove early signs of bir nests or wasp/hornet nests around the exterior of the house.
Check deck boards for damage and set any protruding nails.
Check window and door screens and have repaired.
Check caulking where two different materials meet, where wood siding joins the foundation wall, at inside corners, and where the window and door trim meets the siding.
Turn on water to spickets and check sprinkler systems.
Inside:
Change smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries at Daylight Savings Time.
Test the ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) monthly by pushing the test button, which should then cause the reset button to pop up. Then reset.
Make sure sump pump is in working order and that the pit is free of debris.
Outside:
Check septic tank level (if you have a septic system) and have serviced if necessary.
Inside:
Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers, making sure water is flowing through them freely. Use an environmentally safe drain cleaner if necessary.
Check fire extinguisher pressure levels and have services as necessary.
