One of the most important fall jobs is cleaning the eavestroughs when the last of the leaves have dropped. This will help prevent ice damming in the winter, where moisture is forced up under the roof's shingles during winter's freeze-thaw cycles causing expensive damage to your roof.
Here are some other jobs that should be on a homeowner's winterizing checklist:
" Check the roof for trouble signs such as broken or missing shingles, cracked, buckling or curling shingles, or bare spots where the granular coating has worn off. Check flashing around vents, skylights and chimneys. Look for pieces that have peeled back and for cracked caulking that could allow moisture penetration.
" Make sure gutters are in good repair and have loose or sagging eaves repaired. Ensure downspouts are working effectively and runoff is directed away from the foundation of your home to avoid damage.
" Have the chimney cleaned and check the exterior structure for worn flashing, loose bricks or crumbling mortar.
" Fire up your furnace before the first cold snap to make sure it is operational. Book an appointment to have your furnace cleaned, inspected and safety checked. Depending on the system, you will need to have the furnace vacuumed, the filter changed and the pilot checked.
" Remove and store your window air conditioner. Make sure to clean the coils and filters and cover loosely for the winter. If you are leaving the air conditioner in the window, put a weatherproof cover over it to protect it during the winter.
" Clean your lawnmower and other garden tools before storing. Give all the metal parts of your tools a wipe with an oiled rag to prevent rusting. Drain the fuel from gas-powered machines and run the engine until the lines are clear. Drain the oil and replace it. Clean caked-on grass and debris.
" Check doors and windows for proper caulking and weatherstripping. Do the draft test: hold a lit candle and run it along the seams of doors and windows. A flickering flame means your heating dollars are going out the window. Check the bottoms of doors for a snug threshold seal or door sweep.
" Make sure your fireplace is in safe working order. Check that the damper opens and closes smoothly and fits properly to prevent heat loss. Check inside the fireplace to make sure no bricks are loose or broken. If your fireplace is smoking excessively, check the chimney for fallen bricks. Installing a chimney cap can cure a smoking fireplace by improving the draft.
" Drain exterior water lines, hose bibs, sprinklers, and pool equipment before the first major freeze. Caulk around pipes where they enter the house.
" Clean your barbecue and store it in a protected place for the winter. Never store propane tanks indoors.
" Clean patio furniture and store, loosely covered, in a dry place.
" Wash windows to let in the maximum heat and light during cold winter days.
