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Homes need people and they deteriorate quickly when they’re not getting attention. Therefore, checkout the following checklist:
Homes need people and they deteriorate quickly when they’re not getting attention. Therefore, checkout the following checklist:
- Check your home’s heating and air conditioning system
Most heating and air systems typically last 12 to 15 years. We hear of systems that are pretty much dead at 10 years while other systems are still going strong at 20 years. A lot of this has to do with how they’re maintained.
Most heating and air systems typically last 12 to 15 years. We hear of systems that are pretty much dead at 10 years while other systems are still going strong at 20 years. A lot of this has to do with how they’re maintained.
Before the weather turns cold, take this time to change your filters, at the very least. It's recommended to have the system inspected by a reputable HVAC contractor. Better yet, look into an annual maintenance agreement. Have the contractor check your system and make sure your heat is going to work when you need it. It’s much better to find an HVAC problem in the moderate temperatures of the fall than it is to find your furnace doesn’t work on a frigid winter day or in the blazing hot summer months.
Before the weather turns cold, take this time to change your filters, at the very least. It's recommended to have the system inspected by a reputable HVAC contractor. Better yet, look into an annual maintenance agreement. Have the contractor check your system and make sure your heat is going to work when you need it. It’s much better to find an HVAC problem in the moderate temperatures of the fall than it is to find your furnace doesn’t work on a frigid winter day or in the blazing hot summer months.
- Paint, caulk and seal exterior wood
All of the wood trim on the exterior of your home needs to be protected from the elements. The wood used on your deck is typically a pressure-treated or rot-resistant species of wood, but the wood trim around your exterior doors and windows is just a one-inch-thick pine board that deteriorates very quickly if not protected. I see a lot of rotten wood around the outside of bay windows and exterior doors.
All of the wood trim on the exterior of your home needs to be protected from the elements. The wood used on your deck is typically a pressure-treated or rot-resistant species of wood, but the wood trim around your exterior doors and windows is just a one-inch-thick pine board that deteriorates very quickly if not protected. I see a lot of rotten wood around the outside of bay windows and exterior doors.
Replacing this trim is a big cost and pain and even professionals can struggle with making the repair look good. The best thing to do is to make sure it doesn’t rot in the first place, and that means keeping it painted and caulked. This is a job most people can do themselves if they stay on top of it. Once the wood is rotted and requires replacement, then you’re probably going to need to hire a good trim carpenter to tackle the job. So before that happens, take the time to go around your home and make sure that none of the caulk is cracking and your paint is not chipping and flaking away. If it is, scrape away the bad paint or caulk and apply fresh.
Replacing this trim is a big cost and pain and even professionals can struggle with making the repair look good. The best thing to do is to make sure it doesn’t rot in the first place, and that means keeping it painted and caulked. This is a job most people can do themselves if they stay on top of it. Once the wood is rotted and requires replacement, then you’re probably going to need to hire a good trim carpenter to tackle the job. So before that happens, take the time to go around your home and make sure that none of the caulk is cracking and your paint is not chipping and flaking away. If it is, scrape away the bad paint or caulk and apply fresh.
Even though your deck is made of treated or rot-resistant wood, it still needs protection. You don’t need to stain and seal your deck every year but check it to make sure it’s protected. To do this, simply pour some water on it. If the water beads up, then you’re good. If the wood absorbs the water, it’s time to clean and seal your deck.
Even though your deck is made of treated or rot-resistant wood, it still needs protection. You don’t need to stain and seal your deck every year but check it to make sure it’s protected. To do this, simply pour some water on it. If the water beads up, then you’re good. If the wood absorbs the water, it’s time to clean and seal your deck.
- Seal your masonry and hard surfaces
Your patio needs attention, too. If you have a concrete patio, driveways or walkways, make sure they’re protected as well. Occasionally apply a concrete sealer to all of your flat exterior concrete surfaces. All concrete flatwork eventually develops cracks. Good masons strategically place control joints in your concrete to try to ensure cracking is limited. Take the time to inspect your concrete and fill in any cracks before you apply sealer so that water cannot get in and freeze over the winter. This should ensure your expensive concrete work lasts a very long time.
Your patio needs attention, too. If you have a concrete patio, driveways or walkways, make sure they’re protected as well. Occasionally apply a concrete sealer to all of your flat exterior concrete surfaces. All concrete flatwork eventually develops cracks. Good masons strategically place control joints in your concrete to try to ensure cracking is limited. Take the time to inspect your concrete and fill in any cracks before you apply sealer so that water cannot get in and freeze over the winter. This should ensure your expensive concrete work lasts a very long time.
- Check your drainage
Make sure the soil around your foundation hasn’t settled, creating areas for water to pool at your foundation. If you find a low spot, simply fill it in with some soil. Then go around and check your rain gutter downspouts. Make sure water is getting moved away from the home. Add downspout extenders if necessary. Saturated soil around a foundation can create real problems as it freezes and thaws throughout the winter months.
Make sure the soil around your foundation hasn’t settled, creating areas for water to pool at your foundation. If you find a low spot, simply fill it in with some soil. Then go around and check your rain gutter downspouts. Make sure water is getting moved away from the home. Add downspout extenders if necessary. Saturated soil around a foundation can create real problems as it freezes and thaws throughout the winter months.
- Clean your gutters
Once the leaves are pretty much off the trees, it’s time to clean those gutters. When your gutters back up, they overflow, and when they overflow, that water runs down your home, speeding up the deterioration of your exterior. It can also lead to deterioration of your foundation, water infiltration in the basement and to settling under your concrete porches and walks, which creates all kinds of problems.
Once the leaves are pretty much off the trees, it’s time to clean those gutters. When your gutters back up, they overflow, and when they overflow, that water runs down your home, speeding up the deterioration of your exterior. It can also lead to deterioration of your foundation, water infiltration in the basement and to settling under your concrete porches and walks, which creates all kinds of problems.
- Clean your chimney
Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected before you start building those cozy fires in the next couple of months. A good chimney sweep company will make sure the fireplace is safe to use, and it can also identify maintenance problems.
Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected before you start building those cozy fires in the next couple of months. A good chimney sweep company will make sure the fireplace is safe to use, and it can also identify maintenance problems.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Winter is the time most house fires happen. It’s the time of year when we’re blasting the furnace and building fires. We are also much more likely to have our home closed up tight, so carbon monoxide is a much bigger hazard. Check all of your smoke detectors to make sure they are working and that they have good batteries. If your home is not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, consider getting some. The HVAC inspection will also ensure your furnace and water heater are properly vented, which is the most likely source of carbon monoxide.
Winter is the time most house fires happen. It’s the time of year when we’re blasting the furnace and building fires. We are also much more likely to have our home closed up tight, so carbon monoxide is a much bigger hazard. Check all of your smoke detectors to make sure they are working and that they have good batteries. If your home is not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, consider getting some. The HVAC inspection will also ensure your furnace and water heater are properly vented, which is the most likely source of carbon monoxide.
- Shut down the pool and the sprinkler systems
Make sure your pool is properly shut down and prepare the system for winter. Fall is a good time to get pool work done if a problem is discovered. Pool contractors tend to get busy in the spring.
Make sure your pool is properly shut down and prepare the system for winter. Fall is a good time to get pool work done if a problem is discovered. Pool contractors tend to get busy in the spring.
Make sure your sprinkler system is properly shut down for the season.
Make sure your sprinkler system is properly shut down for the season.
Your outside water faucets are completely unprotected from the elements. They can freeze during one of our cold winter nights and there is a risk it can split the water line causing flooding. It is wise to visit your local hardware store to purchase proper pipe installation and freeze protection products for your outdoor spigots and exposed pipes.
Your outside water faucets are completely unprotected from the elements. They can freeze during one of our cold winter nights and there is a risk it can split the water line causing flooding. It is wise to visit your local hardware store to purchase proper pipe installation and freeze protection products for your outdoor spigots and exposed pipes.
- Prepare your lawn for winter and set it up for a great spring
If you want that beautiful spring lawn, you have to give it attention in the fall. New grass does not grow when it’s too hot or too cold. If you want new grass to grow, you really only have September and October, then April and May to do it. If you neglect the fall, then you’ve cut your time in half. There are differing opinions on when you should fertilize and seed. Your local nursery can provide some advice on when exactly to aerate the lawn, fertilize and seed it.
If you want that beautiful spring lawn, you have to give it attention in the fall. New grass does not grow when it’s too hot or too cold. If you want new grass to grow, you really only have September and October, then April and May to do it. If you neglect the fall, then you’ve cut your time in half. There are differing opinions on when you should fertilize and seed. Your local nursery can provide some advice on when exactly to aerate the lawn, fertilize and seed it.
- Check your trees
Before all of the leaves fall, take a look at your trees and make sure they’re still healthy, especially trees that could fall on your home or a neighbor’s home. Don’t think a dying tree will be obvious. Sometimes you really won’t notice, especially if you have a lot of trees. If there are branches up against your house now is a good time to trim them away before winter arrives. Tree branches scraping against your house can cause damage to windows, screens and siding.
Before all of the leaves fall, take a look at your trees and make sure they’re still healthy, especially trees that could fall on your home or a neighbor’s home. Don’t think a dying tree will be obvious. Sometimes you really won’t notice, especially if you have a lot of trees. If there are branches up against your house now is a good time to trim them away before winter arrives. Tree branches scraping against your house can cause damage to windows, screens and siding.
- Make sure your attic and/or basement don’t become a critter hotel
It’s going to get cold out and your attic and/or basement is the perfect winter home for squirrels, birds, and rodents. These critters can cause a lot of damage and potentially some health problems. Make sure your trees are trimmed well away from the house, and make sure your gable vents are intact. It’s a good idea to inspect all cracks and seams to ensure there are no openings. Also walk around your home and look up at your soffit and fascia. Make sure there are no holes that will allow birds to get in. It's been said a hole as small as a quarter is large enough for a mouse to squeeze inside.
It’s going to get cold out and your attic and/or basement is the perfect winter home for squirrels, birds, and rodents. These critters can cause a lot of damage and potentially some health problems. Make sure your trees are trimmed well away from the house, and make sure your gable vents are intact. It’s a good idea to inspect all cracks and seams to ensure there are no openings. Also walk around your home and look up at your soffit and fascia. Make sure there are no holes that will allow birds to get in. It's been said a hole as small as a quarter is large enough for a mouse to squeeze inside.
- Remember we have Snakes! Yes snakes and even though they hibernate in the winter, keep a look-out and watch your step
Snakes are a part of our wildlife… Remember, not all snakes are dangerous and it's best to just let them be. You can find barriers at your local garden store to make it more difficult for them to enter your yard. It's not uncommon to hear of a snake finding its way into our backyards or even the garage. Just be aware and if you come across a snake, learn how to recognize what a rattlesnake looks like and just stay away and let them be.
Snakes are a part of our wildlife… Remember, not all snakes are dangerous and it's best to just let them be. You can find barriers at your local garden store to make it more difficult for them to enter your yard. It's not uncommon to hear of a snake finding its way into our backyards or even the garage. Just be aware and if you come across a snake, learn how to recognize what a rattlesnake looks like and just stay away and let them be.
You can contact Roseville's Animal Control for help and guidance, source: https://www.roseville.ca.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=7964922&pageId=8979610
You can contact Roseville's Animal Control for help and guidance, source: https://www.roseville.ca.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=7964922&pageId=8979610
Roseville Open Space source: https://www.roseville.ca.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=7964922&pageId=11074071
What did we miss on our checklist that you think we should add? Send your suggestions to us via email at SNA@rcona.org and we will consider updating this list to help out all of us.
What did we miss on our checklist that you think we should add? Send your suggestions to us via email at SNA@rcona.org and we will consider updating this list to help out all of us.
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