The checklist below will help you to take care of your home. While you can take care of most maintenance items yourself, for other things you should hire a professional. Be sure to always disconnect the power source of electrical or gas systems before inspecting, cleaning or replacing them.
Do This Every Fall
- Cover room air-conditioning units with insulated dust- and moisture-proofed covers, inside and out, or remove units from the wall and seal openings.
- Seal the attic fan opening with an airtight cover and insulate.
- If you have a humidifier connected to your heating system:
- Drain and clean the water pan.
- Work the float arm back and forth to dislodge obstructions.
- Ream with a piece of wire or bent clothes hanger to clean water inlet of mineral buildup.
- Lubricate motor with a drop or two of 20-weight oil.
- Be sure there is water in the reserve tank.
- Check the flame color on gas furnace (should be blue with little or no yellow).
- Remove covers on thermostats, and dust the components carefully with a soft brush. To clean oil film from metal contacts, slide a piece of white paper several times between two closed switch contacts.
- Check the fireplace damper to be sure it operates properly. Clean iron grates.
- To clean a wood-burning heater:
- Scrape interior (especially nooks and crannies) with a wire brush.
- Check for cracks, and repair with stove cement if necessary.
- Clean exterior completely.
- If the heater has a blower, vacuum the blower, replace any filters and oil the motor.
- Inspect the outside of chimneys for loose bricks or stones and deteriorating joints. Repair if necessary.
- Check chimneys for worn flue liner or joints and for birds' nests or other obstructions.
- Close shutoff valves to outside faucets and waterlines; drain.
- Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.
- Check gutter and downspout alignment to be sure rainwater collects properly and drains away from the house.
- Refill water softener (ionization type) with salts.
- Manually open the safety valve at top of hot water tank to test operation; wear gloves and use a bucket to catch water as it comes out. Be sure the valve returns to its original position.
- Make sure water lines and hose bibs are protected from freezing.
- Clean leaves and debris from around the outside condenser on heating and cooling systems.
- Check weather stripping on windows and doors for damage and tightness of fit.
- Check vents and louvers for free air movement. Clean screens.
- Inspect faucets, hose bibs, commodes and shutoff valves for leaks.
Remember, implementing a fall home maintenance checklist will help you reduce the chances of major expenses later on.
Source: Frances Graham, Housing Specialist