Foundation Inspection

  • Walk your foundation
    • Look for cracks in the bricks or block
    • Look at what is going on around your foundation
      • Shrubs or vegetation growing and blocking ventilation. Holding moisture against the foundation.
      • Water flow: is water standing around the foundation?
      • Where does water from the gutter or downspouts flow.. away from the house.

Doors and Windows

  • Screens replaced with storm windows
  • Storm door sashes changed from screen to window
  • Check caulk and seals around doors and windows. Replace cracked caulk. Use a polyurethane caulk. It stays resilient even after it cures.

Siding

  • Caulk / Seal transitions: Wherever one type of surface transitions to another: E.G. Brick to siding, brick to trim around doors and windows, metal to wood etc.
  • Some sidings should be caulked at joints. A clear sealant will be less obvious so repainting may not be needed and you can still protect the siding.
  • J-channel: For vinyl-sided homes make sure the J Channel above windows and doors extends to the left and right of edges of the door so water flows away / past the side channels

Roof

  • Get binoculars and check out your roof.
    • Are shingles curling
    • Check vent boots: the flashing around the pipes protruding from your roof. Make sure they are not dried out and cracked
    • Check valleys and points where the roof and a sidewall intersect. Make sure leaves and debris have not accumulated there. If so, remove it.

Overhead Garage Door

  • Lubricate the hinges and rollers: Teflon lubricant is best
  • Lubricate the torsion springs: Spray them with a lubricant. Use a piece of cardboard to protect walls from overspray.
  • Weatherstrip the sides and top of the exterior jamb
  • Check and replace, if needed, the heavy rubber astragal on the bottom of the door

Chimney

  • Wood burning fireplaces should have a chimney inspection
  • Chimney cap: A cap / spark arrestor serves two purposes: fire safety and prevention of debris from entering the chimney
  • Flashing between the roof and vertical chimney chase. Sealed and tight against the wall
  • Clean / dust gas logs

Ceiling Fans

  • Change the direction of your ceiling fan. Have it blow the air up instead of down. This will take the warm air that rises to the ceiling and push it down the wall to keep the whole room comfortable and to save a little on energy costs.

Window Air Conditioner Units

  • Best practice is to remove the unit and close the window. While many folks will leave the unit in for a variety of reasons we believe the best practice is to remove it seasonally as it is a source for significant heat loss.

Garden Hose and Outoor Spigots

  • Remove hoses from the spigot. Allow the spigot to drain. If there is a cut-off in the basement or crawlspace shut off the water inside and open the outside valve.
  • If you have to replace the spigot for any reason, consider a “Frost-proof” sillcock.

Deck

  • Cooler and drier weather is the perfect time to clean and seal your deck.
  • Check fasteners for handrails and posts.

We are headed into a great time of year. Do some basic things to care for your house and then enjoy
your home for the holidays!