Home Improvement Tip For Autumn Days

Now that the dog days of summer are finally behind us and the cooler months have arrived, it's time to prepare your home for the climate and precipitation changes we will face.

The following maintenance chores may not seem too rewarding now, but as harsher weather conditions return, you should sleep better at night knowing your home is prepared:

• Inspect your roof: If you can do it safely, go onto your roof to check for cracked or missing shingles. Also check for missing or damaged flashing around your vent pipes, skylights, and chimney. These conditions might allow leaks. In most cases, minor cracks and tears can be sealed with roofing cement.
  
  
• Chimney and fireplace: Chimney cleaning is generally recommended once a year. If you only use your fireplace a few times a year, you can have it cleaned every couple of years. The important thing is to be sure that your chimney is free of creosote buildup - the charcoal-like residue left after burning wood. The creosote must be removed from your chimney, firebox, and hearth to prevent chimney fires.
  
  
• Unclog your gutters: Safely using a ladder, inspect your gutters for blockages. Remove all debris, leaves, and sticks from your gutters. Also, be sure that your downspouts are free of debris and that they funnel water away from your foundation. A clear gutter will help prevent foundation flooding and water damage to siding, windows, and doors.
  
  
• Service your heating system: Change your furnace filter according to your manufacturer's recommendations. Check your registers and ducts for any blockages. Using your vacuum, dust the registers and intake grills.
  
  
• Inspect siding: Check your siding for cracks, separation, and damage. In most cases, you can seal leaky spots with clear caulking compound designed for siding.
  
  
• The foundation: Do a close inspection of your foundation to check for signs of water damage. Be sure that the dirt around your home is graded to drain water away from your foundation. If your home has an underground drainage system or sump-pump, check to make sure it is operating properly.
  
  
• Prepare your lawn: remove leaves and other debris from your lawn. Prune trees and shrubs. Give your lawn a final cut. Also, you'll want to store patio furniture, gardening tools, and your grill.
  
  
• Your windows and doors: Check to see that your windows and doors are effectively sealed with weather-stripping. (Weather-stripping is individual lengths of rubber or plastic used to plug air leaks around doors and window frames). Replace or add weather-stripping around windows and doors to prevent drafts and heat loss.