As the Fall weather approaches you can take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that need maintenance.

1. Clean and test smoke alarms.
2. Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers.
3. Change or clean the furnace filter.
4. Operate the heating system.
5. Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture or draperies.
6. Clean the humidifier per manufacturer's instructions.
7. Adjust or replace weatherstripping on exterior doors as needed.
8. Check the fit of exterior doors; thresholds are adjustable--use a quarter to turn the screws.
9. Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up.
10. Review safe fireplace operation. Provide professional cleaning at regular intervals.
11. Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals.
12. Check foundation, concrete, and yard for settling; fill in as needed for positive drainage.
13. Inspect downspouts and splashblocks for proper drainage away from home.
14. Rake and compost leaves.
15. Seed and feed lawn.
16. Winterize sprinkler system.
17. Inspect dryer vent for lint and debris.
18. Disconnect garden hoses/connections to any ext. hose bibs.

As colder weather approaches you can take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that need maintenance.

1. Clean and test smoke alarms.
2. Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers.
3. Change or clean the furnace filter.
4. Operate the heating system.
5. Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture or draperies.
6. Clean the humidifier per manufacturer's instructions.
7. Adjust or replace weatherstripping on exterior doors as needed.
8. Check the fit of exterior doors; thresholds are adjustable--use a quarter to turn the screws.
9. Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up.
10. Drain your sprinkler system.
11. Remove hoses from exterior faucets. "Freeze proof" faucets will suffer a broken water line if the water in the hose freezes and expands into the pipe.
12. Inspect chimney for nests.
13. Review safe fireplace operation. Provide professional cleaning at regular intervals.
14. Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals.
15. Clean gutters, check downspouts; confirm that splashblocks drain away from the house.
16. Check foundation, concrete, and yard for settling; fill in as needed for positive drainage.
17. After snowfall, brush snow off gutters and away from downspouts.
18. Remove ice and snow from concrete as soon as possible; avoid using de-icing agents with damaging salts.
19. On pleasant days, open windows to allow house to breathe.
20. Decorate safely for the holidays. Do not overload circuits or use worn extension cords.

As spring approaches you can take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take time to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that need maintenance.

1. Clean and test smoke alarms.
2. Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers.
3. Change or clean the furnace filter.
4. Operate the air-conditioning system; if service is needed it is more conveniently arranged before the busiest part of the season arrives.
5. Adjust registers and confirm that registers and cold-air returns are clear of furniture or draperies.
6. Make certain the air-conditioner compressor is level and clear of debris.
7. Turn the humidifier off.
8. Pour water down the basement floor drain. As drain water evaporates, sewer odors can seep into the house.
9. Inspect grout around tile (floor or wall) and touch up.
10. Wash windows and screens, clean weep holes, and lubricate tracks.
11. Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up.
12. Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals.
13. Start and adjust sprinkler system. Test exterior faucets for broken pipes.
14. Clean gutters and confirm that downspouts or splashblocks drain away from the house.
15. Look for settling of backfill soils and fill in where needed.
16. Check exterior paint and stain surfaces (especially stained doors) and refinish as needed.
17. Plan your first barbecue.