Site

q       Bring in any clay pots before freezing weather.

q       Fill in any site erosion and re-seed.

q       Be sure all surface water drains away from your house.

q       Trim back unruly landscaping.

q       Check your mailbox, fencing, walkways, patios, arbors, etc. for needed maintenance.

q       Does your deck need to be cleaned and sealed? Are the handrails sound?

q       Get the snow blower ready for winter.

q       Store a walkway/driveway de-icer.

q       Check the health of your big trees, if there are any dying or diseased, have them removed now. It will be dangerous to go up onto a thoroughly dead tree and you may not find anyone willing to do it. The time to do it is when their branches can still be relied on to support a man.

q       Have your asphalt driveway sealed.

q       Replace worn or missing fibrous expansion strips between your concrete driveway and garage floor.

Foundation

q       Check that crawlspace, what’s going on under there? Do you have standing water? Mold or fungus? Put a vapor barrier down if you do not already have one and use a mildewcide or fungicide now. Be sure your crawlspace is getting fresh air. Have any critters taken up residence?

q       Identify any basement leaks.

q       Do your basement walls have any cracks that need sealing? If any cracks are 3/16^” or wider, or if you have any long horizontal cracks, better consult an expert now.

q       Is your basement or crawlspace insulated?

Framing/Exterior

q       Look for signs of insect activity, especially in crawlspace framing and around the floor-framing perimeter.

q       Look for cracked joists or rafters.

q       Look for sagging headers or tilting walls; then get expert advice.

q       Is your brickwork in need of mortar repointing? Are there damaged bricks that need to be replaced?

q       How long has it been since your brick work was water sealed? Resealing is usually done every 5 to 8 years.

q       Secure any loose sections of vinyl or aluminum siding; replace damaged sections.

q       Caulk around windows, doors, utility line entrances, and vents.

q       Does your siding or trim need repainting? It is easier to do it regularly than have to replace rotted or damaged sections later, when you finally get around to it, or to discover that the continued water entry has begun to rot the underlying framing.

q       Replace cracked or broken windows.

q       Upgrade to modern low-E insulated windows.

q       Put in your storm windows before cold weather.

q       Look into the possibility of retrofitting insulation into sidewalls of your wonderful old house. Add insulation to floor of your unfinished attic.

q       Repair damaged stucco.

Roof

q       Clean gutters and downspouts.

q       Be sure gutters and downspouts are securely attached.

q       Be sure the roof is water tight-are shingles missing or cracked? Is any flashing rusted through?

q       Check under the roof; are there any signs of leaking there?

q       Look at your chimney or flu stack; any visible damage?

q       Are any trees rubbing against your roof?

q       Be sure your bath vents, kitchen vents and dryer vents go all the way outside, not just into your attic. The bath vents should be insulated to prevent condensation in cold weather.

Electrical

q       Check your outdoor receptacles to make sure they are watertight; if you have painted over them the gaskets will be stiff and cannot be counted on to be watertight.

q       Put bulbs in any open outdoor light sockets; replace burned-out bulbs. Check to see that they have a weather-protective globe or surround if that is their design.

q       Take those pennies out from behind your fuses! It’s time for a wiring upgrade.

q       If you are constantly blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, or your lights occasionally flicker or dim, have your system checked by a licensed electrician.

q       Install GFCI receptacles by your sinks and lavatories, in the garage, and at outdoor receptacles. Inexpensive and relatively easy, it can be done even on older two-prong ungrounded systems. Have an electrician do it if you are unsure how. You deserve this modern protection.

Plumbing

q       Put away your garden hose at the end of the season and shut off your hose bibs.

q       Insulate your water supply lines-hot and cold.

q       If you must use heat tapes, replace them before they dry themselves out, they can crack and expose you to electrical shock.

q       Have those slow drip leaks fixed.

q       Insulate your water heater.

q       Be sure your sump pump works.

q       If your water heater does not have a temperature and pressure release valve, or a pipe running from this valve to near the floor, have one installed now, don’t risk scalding or catastrophic tank rupture.

q       Fix any leaky valves and tighten any loose fixture attachments. If you smell sewer gas around your drains, tighten those loose seals or consult a plumber to find the cause.

Heating and Air

q       Cover your air conditioner at the end of the season.

q       Have a heating contractor inspect and ready your heating system for the coming season. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for filter maintenance.

q       Be sure all ductwork seams are tightly sealed with foil tape.

q       Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; be sure batteries are good in those you may already have.

q       Be sure your flues are clean before every heating season (furnaces, water heaters and fireplace). Call a chimney sweep or heating contractor if cleaning is needed.