Home-Maintenance Checklist

Ever wake up in early September and notice that the air smells different? School begins, days get shorter, and a sense of responsibility begins to creep up on most of us. We've always wondered why "fall cleaning" isn't as popular as "spring cleaning." Brisk September days inspires us to button up the home in preparation for cooler days and longer nights. It’s the perfect month for tackling home projects.

Add Weatherstripping to Doors and Windows

Weatherstripping can be plastic, foam, felt or metal; its job is to seal small gaps, keeping moisture and cold air outside where they belong. Look around your doors and windows for torn or missing weatherstripping. On doors, make sure the bottom seal is working. If your windows are older, weatherstripping can keep drafts at bay and energy costs down.

Fight Winter with Plywood

Find a couple of scrap sheets of plywood and set them aside. When the weatherman predicts a cold snap, set the boards against the exterior basement vents on whichever side of your house bears the brunt of your prevailing weather patterns. This bit of scrappiness could help prevent frozen pipes. Be sure to remove the boards once the weather warms up.

Insulation Speculation

This is a good time to check the condition of insulation and see if you need more, especially if you live in an older home. You can purchase unbacked or loose-fill insulation if you are just beefing up what is already there.  If your walls lack insulation, consider having a professional install blown-in insulation foam. The energy savings will probably offset the cost.

Check Gutters and Storm Windows

Do a quick visual check to make sure gutters are clear. They'll be performing double duty soon with the rain and falling leaves. If you have storm windows that are cracked or dirty, repair and clean them now — prior to autumn installation.

Keep Mice Out

September inspires nesting in mice as well as humans. Mice can squeeze through quarter-inch openings; rats need a half-inch.

Caulk Exterior

Think of caulk as weatherstripping in a tube. Any gap on the outside of your home can be a candidate for caulking. Look at transition spots: corners, windows, doors, areas where masonry joins siding, or places where vents and other objects protrude from walls. Early fall is a good time for this task because caulk becomes difficult to apply when the temperature falls.

Got Wood?

If you have a wood stove, it's not too early to lay in a supply of firewood. Bear in mind that soft woods like fir and cedar burn faster and create hazardous creosote in the chimney, thus requiring more system maintenance and more wood. Hardwoods such as oak, hickory and maple are slow, hot, clean burners.

Clean Dryer Vent

This is another one of those tasks that should be on your to-do list every six months. Scoot your clothes dryer away from the wall, unplug it, and vacuum behind it. (If it's a gas dryer, turn off the gas supply to the dryer at the appliance shutoff valve.) Unhook the tube that leads to the vent and clear as much lint from the tube as you can. Grab a shop vacuum, go outside, and tackle the outside dryer vent as well.

Inspect Your Roof and Chimney

Look for broken or missing shingles, missing or damaged flashing and seals around vent pipes and chimneys, and damage to boards along the eaves. Also peer down your chimney with a flashlight to make sure no animals have set up house in it. Pay close attention to valleys and flashings — many leaks originate in these spots.

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