Your Fall Checklist

For most people, their home is the biggest investment they’ll make.  Aside from the financial investment, your home is just that… your home.  We’ve come up with a few “honey’do’s” to get your home ready for the season*:

1. Trim the trees and the bushes.  The most important thing you can do before fall is trim the dead trees.  Trees are beginning to become dormant this time of year, trimming them will help prevent disease.  Also, keep an eye out for signs of distress, such as early change in leaf color, spots, etc.
2. Clean the gutters and downspouts.  We know, this is Southern California, but when the drains are clogged, rainwater can pool and damage your roof or siding.
3. Speaking of roofs, take a look at the exterior of your home and address any damage to the roof, siding or foundation.  While you’re there, seal any gaps where critters could enter and raid your pantry, along with areas where cold air can come in.
4. Clean your dryer vents.  We all forget, and the lint backs up, but it’s important to have your dryer running efficiently.  Cool, dry fall weather increases static electricity and could spark with the lint to cause fire.
5. Schedule a chimney cleaning and heater check.  You’re going to use your fireplace at least once this winter, don’t make it the last time you ever can.  Make sure your chimney and furnace are cleaned, maintained and working.  A chimney cap, if you don’t have one already, might be good too, to help keep the critters out.

Happy Fall!

*to be enjoyed with Pumpkin Spice latte.