The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire and accidents. InterNACHI recommends that you follow these guidelines to help make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable.      
  
Holiday Lighting

• Use caution with holiday decorations and, whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials. 
• Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees. 
• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings, and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. If you have any questions about electrical safety, ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection. Do not overload extension cords. 
• Don't mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation.  To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples--don't use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
• Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations. 
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. 
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.  
• Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. 
• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks. 
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

 
 
 
Decorations

• Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel and artificial icicles of plastic and non-leaded metals. 
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down. 
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp and breakable, and keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children. 
• Avoid trimmings that resemble candy and food that may tempt a young child to put them in his mouth. 

 
 
Holiday Entertaining
 

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S.  When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range. 
• Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays, and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding. 
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet). 
• Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan is. 

 
Trees

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "fire-resistant." 
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. 
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. 
• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. 
• Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
• Make sure the base is steady so the tree won't tip over easily. 

   
Fireplaces

• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open. 
• Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. 
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely. 

  
Toys and Ornaments

• Purchase appropriate toys for the appropriate age. Some toys designed for older children might be dangerous for younger children. 
• Electric toys should be UL/FM approved. 
• Toys with sharp points, sharp edges, strings, cords, and parts small enough to be swallowed should not be given to small children. 
• Place older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint out of the reach of small children and pets. 

 

 
Children and Pets 

• Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach, or avoid having them. 
• Keep decorations at least 6 inches above the child’s reach. 
• Avoid using tinsel. It can fall on the floor and a curious child or pet may eat it. This can cause anything from mild distress to death. 
• Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck and choke. 
• Avoid mittens with strings for children. The string can get tangled around the child’s neck and cause them to choke. It is easier to replace a mitten than a child. 
• Watch children and pets around space heaters or the fireplace. Do not leave a child or pet unattended. 
• Store scissors and any sharp objects that you use to wrap presents out of your child’s reach. 
• Inspect wrapped gifts for small decorations, such as candy canes, gingerbread men, and mistletoe berries, all of which are choking hazards. 

 
 
Security   

• Use your home burglar alarm system. 
• If you plan to travel for the holidays, don’t discuss your plans with strangers.  
• Have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.

 
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD InterNACHI INSPECTOR WISHES YOU 
A SAFE & JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON!

As you're sprucing up your home this season, keep an eye out for these common holiday trip-ups, fire hazards, and other safety snafus.
1. Merry and Bright: Carefully inspect holiday light strings each year and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders, or loose connections. When replacing bulbs, unplug the light string and be sure to match voltage and wattage to the original bulb.
2. Lights Out: Always turn off holiday lights when you leave the house unattended or when going to bed.
3. Fresh Is Best: Try to purchase a freshly cut tree, as they are more resistant to ignition. Keep your Christmas tree watered and away from open candles.
4. Timing Is Everything: Use an outdoor timer certified by CSA International to switch lights on and off. Lights should be turned on after 7 p.m. to avoid the electricity rush hour.
5. Check for the Certification Mark: When purchasing light strings, extension cords, spotlights, electrical decorations, gas appliances, or carbon monoxide alarms, look for the certification mark of an accredited certification organization such as CSA International, UL, or ELT to ensure that the products comply with applicable standards for safety and performance.
6. One and Done: Never connect more than one extension cord together; instead use a single cord that is long enough to reach the outlet without stretching, but not so long that it can get easily tangled.
7. The Great Outdoors: When hanging outdoor lights, keep electrical connectors off the ground and away from metal rain gutters. Use insulated tape or plastic clips instead of metal nails or tacks to hold them in place.
8. Climbing Up: Using a ladder when you put up lights? Choose the correct ladder for the job and double check for a certification mark to ensure your portable ladder complies with applicable standards.
9. Keep the Gas Behind Glass: Do not use your gas fireplace if the glass panel is removed, cracked, or broken, and only allow a qualified service person to replace fireplace parts.
10. Sound the Alarm: Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they work, and be sure to install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home -- especially near sleeping areas.
11. Filter-Friendly Furnace: To help prevent CO hazards in your home, have a qualified heating contractor perform a yearly maintenance check of your furnace and venting system, and clean or replace your furnace filter frequently during the heating seasons.
12. Clean the Clutter: Do not store combustible materials such as gasoline, propane, paper, chemicals, paint, rags, and cleaning products near your gas furnace. Gasoline or propane cylinders should be stored outside the home.
Source: CSA International

​The hottest summer home inspection checklist for homebuyers or sellers
Don’t want to be caught stuck in the heat? Learn our top tips for maintaining your home this summer


Key Takeaways
    •    During the summer, moisture and hot air meet to make the perfect breeding ground for some insects and creatures. Find them and their nests before they find you.
    •    Proper guardrails should be at least 36 inches to 42 inches tall.
    •    Use a tool such as a screwdriver to push in and gently check wood.


Last year was the hottest year on record. Yep. Climate change means that each year might become just a small degree warmer than the last.
Now more than ever, it’s important to ensure your clients are prepared to look for possible issues that might affect their home’s sale or their purchase of a new home.

Here are some tips from Pillar To Post Home Inspectors to guide a DIY home inspection.

Air conditioner
    •    Inspect the unit to make sure it’s in good working condition.
    •    The air conditioner must be leveled and free from obstruction.
Tip: Do not fully cover your air conditioning unit during the winter — doing so will cause the fins to rust inside. Instead, consider covering it with a piece of plywood and securing it with a rock.

Deck
    •    Maintain your deck by ensuring it’s stained or painted on a regular basis.
    •    Check the overall structure every spring and fall.
    •    Ensure there are proper footings to prevent sinking.
Tip: Proper guardrails should be at least 36 inches to 42 inches tall.

Proper guardrails should be at least 36 inches to 42 inches tall.

Garage
Ensure the garage entrance has a working fire-rated door with auto closure.

    •    Check that safety lasers on automatic door openers are aligned and operational.
Tip: Use a wood block to test door closure for pressure.

Rodents and pest prevention
    •    Check for common rodent entry points, including open gaps in the exterior.
Tip: Another common entry point is where the air conditioner lines enter the house.

Gutters
    •    Check for clogs and clear the gutters. If you find any damage left over from the harsh months, get it fixed to eliminate the possibility of developing water damage.
Tip: Also, while you’re up by the roof, it’s worth doing a survey to see if there are any missing shingles or other types of damage.

Foundation
    •    Any low areas you come across should be filled with compacted soil. A big rain can lead to flooding and foundation damage.
Tip: Check to see that there are no large pools of water in the yard or in buckets or planters on the grounds. Insects will breed there.
Doors and windows
    •    Assess the wood around doors and windows to see if it’s soft or if there is any rot. That could lead to further problems that are best fixed early.
Tip: Use a tool such as a screwdriver to push in and gently check wood.


Chimney
    •    Check to see if there is any damage from the winter months to the chimney. Even if it looks good, now is the time to have the entire structure professionally inspected and cleaned. The homeowner won’t be using it during the summer.
Tip: It’s also a good time to clear away a pile of firewood outside (or inside); because there’s a chance something might be nesting under it; put on protective gloves before picking up any of the wood.

Faucets
    •    Check to see if there have been any leaks or damage to hoses or faucets over winter. The flow from the faucet should be good and strong, or it might indicate some pipe damage.

In the end, the best solution for all homeowners is to cruise their homes both inside and out once a month and check for problems. These tiny issues are so much easier to stop before they grow into monster problems.

Tiny issues are so much easier to stop then before they grow into monster problems.

Home Inspections a Quick and Simple Alternative to Traditional Spring Cleaning

Spring is here and with it the infamous phrase, “Spring Cleaning,” but according to a recent survey conducted by Synovate Inc.,* less than 35 percent of consumers actually complete an annual spring cleaning.  This year, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) reminds homeowners that there’s an alternative to traditional spring cleaning – a home inspection.
“Despite all the hype surrounding spring cleaning, the simple fact is that a majority of home owners don’t want to spend the weekend cleaning out storage spaces and reorganizing their closets,” said Frank Lesh, 2007 ASHI President. “Still, spring is a good time for home owners to take stock in their home and identify potential maintenance issues.  There's nothing better than a home inspection to help identify minor issues before they become major repairs.”
Spring Home Inspection Tips
In addition to inspecting a home’s major systems, a typical spring home inspection should include an inspection of the roof to identify curling, shrinking, broken or missing shingles that may lead to costly leaks; an inspection of the perimeter of the home to look for signs of settling and for voids that will allow rain to enter through the home’s foundation; as well as a thorough inspection of the air conditioning system.
“While we don’t recommend that homeowners conduct inspections themselves due to safety precautions, there are several areas of the home that homeowners should pay close attention to,” added Lesh. 
Lesh encourages homeowners to visually inspect hose bibs (the threaded end of the outside water tap or faucet where a hose can be attached) for signs of frost damage, separated joints or splits in the pipes; tears and holes in window and door screens; broken, loose or clogged gutters; and cracking or peeling paint and caulking.
April is Home Inspection Month
While 62 percent of Americans say spring doesn’t last long enough to merit spring cleaning, according to the Synovate survey, the truth is, you only need one month – April.
“April is the perfect time for a routine maintenance home inspection and the perfect alternative to spring cleaning,” said Lesh.  “The buying and selling season is not yet in full swing, and it is just after the winter months when weather can be especially tough on a home.”
To assist homeowners who may not be familiar with a home inspection Lesh outlines a list of general questions and answers below:
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation.
Why do I need a home inspection if I’m not buying or selling my home?
A home inspection can identify problems in the making and the inspector can suggest preventative measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs.
Why can’t I do it myself?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector.  An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety.  He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as their expected life and why they fail.
Can a house fail an inspection?
No.  A home inspector will not fail a house, but rather the inspector will provide a report describing its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need major repair or replacement.
About the American Society of Home Inspectors
In its 31st year and with nearly 7,000 members, ASHI is the oldest and most widely recognized non-profit, professional organization of home inspectors in North America.  Its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are the industry standard.  ASHI’s mission is to meet the needs of its membership and promote excellence and exemplary practice within the profession.  For more information, visit www.homeinspector.org or call 800-743-2744.
* Survey results were provided by Synovate Inc. A global leader in market intelligence, Synovate Inc.’s online Global Opinion Panel was used as the sample source for this study which included a sample size of 1,000 nationally representative U.S. interviews.  The study’s margin of error is +/- 3.1 %.

The transition between winter and spring is the time to get a jump on moisture damage and heat loss, make quick work of organizing storage areas and work in some garden prep before spring.
Don’t let winter slip away without using the cold, wet weather to help you detect where your home is leaking water and heat, giving you a chance to seal it up tight and develop a wish list for energy-saving improvements. Your first order of business inside your home is to make sure no water is getting in.
Carefully check every spot where condensation or water could enter your living areas and storage spaces.
Take along a pad of paper and a pencil and take detailed notes as you scrutinize ceilings, under the roof, under the eaves and along window and door frames and ventilation seals. Be particularly careful to check under toilets, sinks, tubs and showers. Use a flashlight to check the crawl space or basement walls and floors and the underside of the first-story floor. You’re looking for visible moisture and for stains caused by moisture. When you find something, the remedy will depend on the source of the leak. You may just need to re-caulk around a tub or window, or you may need to call a plumber to replace a leaking fixture.
Here are some other tasks to tackle inside your home this month:

Change the shower curtain. While you’re checking for leaks in the bathroom, see if the shower curtain needs replacing. Damp shower curtains can grow unhealthy mold and mildew and contribute to mold problems in the tub and shower, so swap yours out periodically and make sure to open and air out the shower enclosure when you’re done bathing.
Batten down the hatches. Find and seal energy leaks. Grab a pad and pencil to note any spots that you can’t address right away. Arm yourself with a tube of caulk to fill small cracks and a spray can of insulating foam sealer for larger gaps. Tour your home feeling for cold air entering through cracks in chimneys and window and door frames, and cracks around appliance vents, electrical and plumbing fixtures and furnace ducts. Remedies might include adding weatherstripping to a door frame or applying fresh caulk to window frames.
Clean out storage areas. Get a head start on spring cleaning by attacking a cluttered storage space. Whether you go after the garage, attic, laundry room or garden shed, your home benefits when you get rid of rusting tools, leaking fluids and household chemicals. Start by taking everything out of the space and piling it up outside or in the garage. Clean the empty space, then go through the items, trying to let go of everything you haven’t used in the last year. Make four piles: stuff to keep, trash, donations and recycling, and hazardous waste. Open paint cans to dry the paint completely before disposing. Recycle batteries so the lead they contain doesn’t contaminate ground water. Rules for disposal vary by locale. Call your waste-disposal company or the county landfill to learn where and how to dispose of hazardous waste.
Get a fire extinguisher. Better yet, get several. Buy fire extinguishers for each type of fire you might encounter at home and place them where you’ll need them. Inspect extinguishers regularly to ensure the gauges read 100%. If your not sure about your current fire extinguisher you can stop by any fire hall/station and the fire men can have a look at it for you.
Outside:
February is a transitional month in much of Missouri. Winter storms may continue to cause damage to home exteriors and landscaping.
Check for storm damage. While you’re outside, walk around the house looking for missing or damaged siding and shingles. Remove fallen branches and storm debris from around the house. Keep snow clear of gas meters, gas appliance vents, exhaust vents and basement windows.

One of the questions we are frequently asked during winter months (especially this winter), is if it is still possible to perform a home inspection – even with all the snow and ice.    Our response in the affirmative is surprising to some.  In fact, not only is it possible, it actually can be a good idea to schedule a home inspection right now – This article will explain why.    
No question that winter poses certain challenges when performing a thorough home inspection, however, there are only a few places that the snow or ice will restrict an inspection.   Those areas include the AC Unit, roof, and checking proper drainage – and that is only when there is excessive snow on the ground.   
All other areas of the home are still able to be inspected properly during winter, and here’s why it’s a good idea.  Extreme weather can cause all kinds of stress and damage to a home, and often, that damage isn’t revealed until temperatures warm up, and those situations can quickly turn into emergencies.  We’ve already seen a number of homes in winter with plumbing connections that have frozen and cracked underneath the house causing slow leaks and water intrusion.    With freezing temperatures, those failures aren’t always recognized until things warm up.
Another advantage of a home inspection in cold weather months is that it is easier to detect drafts and insulation failures.   During the summer months, attics can reach temps of 120+ making it difficult to detect areas of concern.  In the winter, it’s obvious where there are cold spots or drafts.  
Also, with a snow pack on the roof, it presents an opportunity to see check the integrity of the framing (how things are holding up under that extra weight).  
So in a nutshell, yes, a home inspection can be performed in winter.  Snow and ice do present challenges, but they also present opportunities to see things that are more difficult to detect in summer months.  A winter home inspection can help homeowners avoid more serious damages when warmer temperatures arrive.   

You’ve been searching like crazy to find that dream home, and finally you’ve found it. Now before you finalize the purchase of this home, you decide it’s in your best interest to have it inspected by a professional, smart move. However, it’s the middle of winter and there’s a few feet of snow covering the ground, so here are some things you need to consider if having a home inspection performed during winter.

Quite honestly, winter is the worst time of year to conduct a home inspection. However some things can’t always fall under our control, so we have to make the best of the situation we are faced with. Many important items such as the condition of roof covering(s), lot grading and drainage, condition of walkways, balconies, decks and patios as well as the condition of A/C units cannot be inspected during winter due to restricted access or visibility from snow build up.
​
Some people will expect that a home inspector go onto a snow covered roof (yeah really?!!) and remove the snow from the roof in order to inspect the shingles or roof covering. Despite the fact that this is just plain silly and dangerous, it would be a waste of time because the inspector would most likely end up damaging the roof to some degree by doing this. In order to properly and effectively inspect a roof, it must be clear of debris so the entire roof can be viewed and assessed correctly. This can be nearly impossible to do during winter.

Lot grading and drainage is a very important item to check during an inspection, however in winter it is next to impossible for the home inspector to determine whether the grading is adequate due to snow cover. Once the snow melts, you may find the need to re-grade the property in order to keep water away from the foundation.
Condition of foundations and inspecting for major cracks or structural deficiencies can also be very difficult if the snow depth around the house blocks the inspector’s visibility of the foundation.

Our advice is if you are having a home inspection performed during winter, then it would be a very good idea to consider having a backup budget ready for items that your inspector cannot inspect due to circumstances out of his or her control.

Remember a home inspection is an inspection of the readily accessible items at the time of inspection, therefore if snow conditions hinder the inspector’s ability to access certain items; you must be prepared to deal with the potential problems that may exist. If this falls outside of your comfort zone, then perhaps it’s wise to buy a home outside of the winter months to ensure you can get the most thorough inspection possible.

​

Like it or not, winter is not far around the bend, which makes this an ideal time for homeowners to prepare their homes before the snow flies. Here are simple and effective steps that will help you maintain the lifespan of your properties and save you money in the long run.
A home inspection allows homeowners to maximize efficiency and safety in their homes. The inspection provides a home maintenance schedule specific to that home as a way to assist the homeowner in maintaining the value of their investment.
It is especially important for people to clean gutters with downspouts and downspout extensions, so that when the snow melts on the roof the house helps water travel away from it. Otherwise blockages in these drainage systems create stagnant water that can freeze and thaw, and eventually cause ware to the shingles, rending the house vulnerable to damage. Another useful tip is to ensure attics are properly ventilated.
Ventilation with a good system of soffit and roof vents create conditions to continually take moist air away and stabilize the attic temperature. This allows homeowners to avoid moisture being absorbed in the home’s framing, which can weaken it.
Go around the exterior of your homes with an outdoor sealant. If you see worn out or cracked sealant at windows or holes on the exterior, seal these areas. This action will pay off in avoiding leaks into the house.
Not sure how to accomplish these tasks?  Not to worry. Home inspectors are great resources for providing personalized and expert consultations. However, for those more keen on DIY, follow these tips to save time, money and frustration this winter.
Inspect fireplaces and chimneys
“Screen off the top of your chimney to keep out rodents and birds. Check the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing. If the chimney has not been cleaned, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.”
Inspect dryer hoses and exterior dryer vents
“Check for lint blockages to avoid fires. A dryer can only push the moist, hot air so far, and eventually lint will build up. This can burn out your dryer, taking longer to dry your clothes while using more electricity.”
Check heating systems
“Plan to change the furnace filter every month during the winter to reduce energy costs. It is also beneficial to switch thermostats out for programmable options.”
Check air ducts
“Remove the register covers and vacuum inside if the duct has been cleaned regularly. Check ducts for any air leakage that needs to be sealed to improve the airflow throughout the house.”
Prevent pipe freezing
“Ensure sprinkler systems are blown out and winterized, and exterior faucets and water lines are insulated. Drain the air conditioner pipes and shut off the water on air conditioners.”
Check windows and doors
“Weather stripping around doors and caulking around the windows will help prevent cold air from entering the home. Also make sure to switch out summer screens with glass replacements from storage.”
Check roof for damage or missing shingles
“Replace worn roof shingles and check for missing ones to ensure water cannot enter the home.”
Prepare winter essentials
“Locate snow removal tools, such a snow shovel, plows, and snow blowers. Make sure they are ready to go.”

Seasonal home maintenance is something home owners know needs to be done, especially for cooler weather. Just by doing these easy little things can potential issues.
What are the best ways to prepare your home for the fall? Here are our top 10 fall home maintenance tips!
1.  FURNACE MAINTENANCEYour furnace should be serviced at least once a year. It’s best to do it in the early fall, before you need to turn it on for the winter. This ensures that it’s operating properly and efficiently, and that there are no dangerous issues that have gone unnoticed, like carbon monoxide leaks due to a cracked heat exchanger.
There are a few different things you can do to prepare your furnace for the fall and winter, like:

• Change the air filter – Your air filter is easy to access, and should be changed about every 3-6 months. If you have pets or live in a dusty climate, you may want to replace it even more regularly than this.

• Clean the combustion chamber – Using a wire brush and a shop vacuum, you can remove carbon buildup from the combustion chamber, which prevents corrosion and allows for a longer furnace life, and better energy efficiency.
• Inspect the flue – The flue is the pipe that sends exhaust outside of your home. You can inspect it and check for leaks, sealing any small leaks with foil tape. Large leaks and corrosion may require you to replace the flue.

• Clean floor vents – You should clean your floor registers with a vacuum every year, to make sure that they are not blocked, and that debris does not fall into the furnace.

These are easy enough for just about anyone to do, and performing these steps on your own can save you some money.
2.  WEATHERPROOF YOUR DOORSWeatherproofing a door is the process of examining the weather stripping and gaps in your doors, in order to determine if they may cause leaks or a draft, and then replacing weather stripping and other elements, as necessary.
First, inspect the door. If you can see light coming through, chances are its drafty – and needs to be weatherproofed. Then, you can use caulk to fill up minor gaps, or use backer rod to fill in larger gaps. You also may want to replace damaged weather stripping on the interior or exterior of the door.
Want to weatherproof your doors yourself? Here’s a comprehensive guide on what you’ll need to do! 
Weatherproofing helps prevent water from getting into your home, and also eliminates drafts which can reduce the effectiveness of your heating systems, and raise your utility bills.
Weatherproofing also can help prevent damage to the subfloor below your exterior doors. If moisture and dampness get inside, it can eat away at the floor material, and cause issues like mold and mildew.
A properly weatherproofed door won’t need to be redone for several years, but if you live in a harsh climate, you may need to replace weatherproofing more often.
It’s best to simply examine your doors every year. If you notice gaps or drafts, you may need to weatherproof your doors again. If you don’t notice any issues, you’re good to go for another year!
With these simple tips, you can make sure that your weatherproofing lasts longer – and that you won’t have to keep redoing your doors every year.
3.  CLEAN YOUR GUTTERSYour home needs regular maintenance to keep it safe and in good condition, and gutter cleaning is one of the most important steps. Clogged gutters can damage your roof and cause leaks, cause ice damming in the winter, or even lead to foundation issues.
So grab a ladder, a plastic bag or a bucket, and get up to the roof! Make sure to stay safe on the ladder, and place it safely and securely. You may be able to walk on your roof if it’s not steeply pitched, but it’s usually better to stay on the ladder.
Grab all the debris from your gutters and dump it in your bucket or bag, and flush the gutter by using a hose. Repeat until all your gutters are clean. Once you get used to it, it should only take you an hour or so.
It’s usually recommended to do it twice a year – once in the late spring, and once in the early fall. However, if you live in an area without too many trees, you may be able to do it just once a year. Conversely, if you live underneath pine trees, or in a heavily forested area, you may want to clean your gutters every 3 months to ensure they don’t get clogged.
4.  FLUSH YOUR HOT WATER HEATERFlushing your water heater can help remove sediment from the tank, and prolong its lifespan, and fall is the perfect time to do this.
If you’re not handy and don’t like working with tools, you may want to hire a professional to do this. It’s not expensive, and the cost of a maintenance call is small, compared to the benefits of a longer water heater lifespan.
If you want to try to do it yourself, though, this guide from Family Handyman is a good place to start. You’ll save a little money, and learn more about how your water heater works!
5.  SHUT OFF EXTERIOR FAUCETSIf you don’t shut off the water supply to your exterior faucets from inside your house, the pipes leading to it may crack and freeze, which can cause leaks, and cost a lot of money to replace.
If you have a “frost-free” faucet, you may not need to do this. A good rule of thumb is that, if a faucet knob is perpendicular to the house, it’s frost-free, and uses what’s called a “frost-free sillcock” to prevent freezing – but make sure you double-check.
If your sillcock is not frost-free, there should be a shut-off valve for the exterior faucet, somewhere on the pipe that leads to it. Locate this, and shut it off. Then, open up the outside faucet, and then open the adjacent bleeder valve to let any remaining water drain out.
6.  WINTERIZE A/C SYSTEMYour air conditioner can be damaged by the ice, snow, debris, and other weather-related conditions of the fall and winter. That means you should winterize it before it gets too cold outside.
Winterizing your A/C is simple to do.

1. Simply begin by removing grass, leaves, twigs, and other debris from the unit itself. Then, use a garden hose to rinse it, and remove more debris, dirt, and dust.

1. Allow the unit to dry, then cut off the electrical power at the electrical circuit, to keep it from switching on if a day is unexpectedly warm. After this, install rubber pipe insulation around the pipes to protect against freezing.

1. Then, cover your unit with an A/C cover, to keep ice, snow, and other debris from building up on it.

7.  CLEAN CHIMNEY AND FIREPLACEYour chimney and fireplace should be cleaned and inspected yearly to make sure they’re safe to use. Generally, a professional is required, as they will be able to recognize any issues with your fireplace, and be able to give it a deep clean which will prevent dangerous chimney fires. You should also clean out your fireplace.
If you don’t use your chimney or fireplace in the winter, you may be able to do this once every two years – but we don’t recommend this, as the chimney is a common failure point when it comes to roof leaks. A regular inspection every year helps keep it clear, and ensures it’s not leaking.
8.  TEST YOUR SUMP PUMPYour sump pump keeps water out of your basement, and away from your foundation. If it fails during the winter, and water builds up underneath your home, it can freeze and crack, which may cause permanent damage to your foundation.
So make sure you test your sump pump out. You can hire a professional, or follow this guide to do it yourself. You should test your sump pump regularly throughout the fall and winter, whenever there is a heavy downpour.
9.  CHECK FOR CRACKS IN PAVEMENTThe corrosive properties of road salt, as well as the thermal expansion of pavement during freezing and refreezing, can turn small pavement cracks into serious damage, and carve out chunks from your driveway the next spring, after the winter has passed.
This is why you should check for cracks in your pavement in the fall. You may want to consider re-sealing your driveway if you have a lot of cracks. If you just have a few cracks, you can use asphalt driveway repair caulk to plug them up, and keep them protected during the fall and winter.
A little bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way, and can keep your driveway intact and in great shape.
10. CHECK YOUR WINDOWS You should check your windows for damage and loose frames, to make sure they’re in good shape before the winter. In addition, you may want to install additional weather stripping or caulking around them, to prevent drafts and keep your power bills low.
If you’re serious about energy conservation, you could also invest in a pair of energy-efficient cell blinds, as well as heavy blackout curtains. Combined, these window treatments can help insulate your windows, keeping you comfortable and reducing your power bill.
 
Get Ready For The Cold Weather!Regular home maintenance is key for simplifying home ownership, and avoiding major repairs and unexpected costs. So follow these tips, and keep your home safe this fall and winter.

What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation.

What does a home inspection include?
The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.


Why do I need a home inspection?
Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will know more about the house, which will allow you to make decisions with confidence.
If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs.
If you are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.

Why can't I do it myself?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety. He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail.

Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection.


Can a house fail a home inspection?
No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need major repair or replacement.

When do I call a home inspector?
Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.


Do I have to be there?
While it’s not required that you be present for the inspection, it is highly recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home and how to maintain it.