Winter is just around the corner, hopefully with some much needed rain. It is a good time to get some fall maintenance done before that rain starts and we get too busy with the holidays. Here’s a checklist to keep your Southern California home and yard in good shape and help you avoid expensive repairs.
Heating and Cooling
- Temperatures are cooling and we will be turning on our furnaces soon. Clean or change your furnace filters and check them every month or two. Your furnace should also be inspected on a regular basis, some say annually. It’s safest to have a professional do this. Although we aren’t thinking about air conditioners right now, if you have one, it also needs to be cleaned and maintained.
Fireplaces
- In addition to turning on furnaces, it’s almost time to get those cozy fires burning in the fireplace. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends you have an annual chimney inspection by a qualified professional.
Doors and Windows
- Even though it doesn’t get that cold here in Southern California, it’s still important to make sure your doors and windows are ready for winter. Look for loose or missing glazing putty, window and door caulking. Replace or repair damaged door sweeps and weather stripping. Check for broken or cracked glass.
Roof
- Before we get our first winter rain, you should check your roof for any missing, loose or damaged shingles or tiles. Make sure your flashing is solid and there are no cracks in the mortar or caulking around the chimney and roof vents. It’s best to have a professional roofer do an annual inspection. Proper maintenance will help you avoid costly roof leaks.
Exterior
- Do an annual inspection of your home’s exterior. Clean out your gutters, and trim trees and bushes away from your home. Check your stucco, siding and foundation for cracks, gaps, deteriorated paint, rot and termites. Make sure your soil and yard are graded to move water away from your home and you are not watering your walls with sprinklers.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. Most homes should also have carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure yours are installed correctly and are working. If your detectors have replaceable batteries, this is a good time to change them, and clean and test all detectors in your home.
Refrigerator
- November 15 is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Deep clean your refrigerator and change its water and air filters. They should be changed every six months. Don’t forget to clean the condenser coils and fan in the back or under your refrigerator. Dirty coils cause your refrigerator’s compressor to work harder plus use more energy.
Dishwasher
- Wash the dishwasher. Although it seems odd that you need to clean out a cleaning machine, this will help it run efficiently and prevent germs and odors. Clean out the filter and check the spray arm for trapped food. You can also use vinegar to sanitize and deodorize the dishwasher.
Oven and Stove
- Your oven and cooktops may also need a deep cleaning. If the oven-range is not built in, pull it out and clean the floor and side walls. Clean the interior of the oven so it’s ready for holiday cooking. Don’t forget to check and replace the filters on the range hood.
Washer
- Washers and dryers can cause home fires and flooding. To clean your washer, you should run it a couple times a year without any clothing. Run it on its hottest setting with the usual amount of detergent. You’ll want to also clean out the filters and check the hoses. Use braided, metal hoses so they don’t burst, and replace those hoses every five years.
Dryer
- Clean out your dryer’s lint screen with every load and more often with high-lint loads. At least once a year, check and clean the venting system for you dryer. The dryer’s exhaust duct that runs out the back of the dryer should be free of lint along with the vent that runs to the outside of your home.
Yard
- In Southern California, fall is a great time to plant perennials and California natives. It gives their roots time to get established before spring. It’s also a good time to clear out dead vegetation which can be dangerous during fire season. And if you put a thick layer of mulch in your garden beds, it will help suppress the annual weeds that show up when the rains start. It will also help keep moisture in the soil making your plants happy and saving you water.
Photo Credit: Chris Lawton on Unsplash