Fall Maintenance Checklist

Foundation, Basements & Exterior Walls

Check and repair caulk (if needed) around exterior surfaces & foundation
Check and seal/repair basement flooring and walls for dampness or efflorescence.
Check the condition of your deck and apply a waterproofing sealer if necessary
Clean gaps between deck boards above joists
Clean out under decks and porches
Scrape peeling paint, and apply touch up paint to your siding, trim, and fences

Roofs, Fireplace, Chimneys & Gutters

Check gutters, downspouts, and roof penetrations for leaks
Check roof for damaged or missing shingles or problems with flashing
Examine flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof edges
Call a professional chimney sweep if necessary
Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests
Check fireplace damper to enaure it operates smoothly
Check the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and the chimney
Inspect fireplace firebrick and mortar for cracks and deterioration & patch small cracks
Inspect fireplace flues for "glassy" creosote buildup and have flues cleaned regularly

Yard, Drive/Walk ways, Grading & Drainage

Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation wall, so that water does not drain into your basement
Fertilize and reseed your lawn
Locate your winter tools: snow shovel, plows, and snow blowers
Remove annuals & cut back perennials
Repair and paint fences as necessary
Trim any trees or shrubs that touch house & prune others
Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture, prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter

Doors and Windows

Check screws on door lock sets and hardware, tighten up if needed
Check the caulking for exterior windows and doors
Clean out basement window wells
Ensure all doors to the outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use
Ensure windows and skylights close tightly
Inspect and clean (if needed) storm window weep holes
Inspect and replace (if needed) weather stripping
Install storm windows and doors
Remove screens from the inside of casement windows to allow air from the heating system to keep condensation off window glass
Remove, clean, and store summertime screens
Renew door weatherstripping if required
Replace window screens with storm windows

Plumbing & HWH

Blow out sprinkler systems and winterize or insulate exterior faucets and water lines
Check sump pump and line to ensure proper operation, and to ascertain that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks
Drain and store outdoor hoses & shut-off valve to exterior faucet, unless have frost proof hose bibs
Examine hot water heater pressure-temperature relief valve for leaking, and test, if desired
Check for potential leaks and water penetration under and around sinks, toilets, showers and tubs.
Have well water tested every 6 months for quality & bacteria
If you have a septic tank, measure the sludge and scum to determine if the tank needs to be emptied before the spring. Tanks should be pumped out at least once every three years

Heating & Cooling

Bleed air from hot water radiators
Checking for disconnected or crushed ductwork & repair as needed
Clean around air conditioning units & cover until spring
Examine the forced air furnace fan belt for wear, looseness or noise; clean fan blades of any dirt buildup (after disconnecting the electricity to the motor first)
General furnace inspection: look for rust, scaling on heat exchanger, proper flame color, note odd sounds or smells and check condition of venting
Hiring a professional HVAC technician to inspect your home's heating systems for proper functioning prior to the season of use
If the heat recovery ventilator has been shut off for the summer, clean the filters and the core, and pour water down the condensate drain to test it
Lubricate circulating pump on hot water heating system
Open furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning and clean humidifier
Remove the grilles on forced air systems and vacuum inside the ducts
Seal duct leaks and insulate ducts to reduce energy loss
Turn ON gas furnace pilot light
For boilers, check water levels, valves and pipes for leaks.
Vacuum heating registers, vents, ducts, radiators, electric baseboard heaters to remove dust

Interior General