IS YOUR HOME READY FOR FALL?

A few simple steps now can help you avoid big problems (and big bills) later.

1. CLEAN THE GUTTERS - Clogged gutters send water toward your foundation instead of away from it. Once cleaning before the leaves fully drop goes a long way.

2. SERVICE THE FURNACE - Replace the filter and schedule a tune-up now. Before you need it is always better than the day you turn it on and nothing happens. 

3. SEAL THE DRAFTS - Run your hand along door and window edges. Feel cold air? That's money leaving your house all winter.  Weatherstripping is cheap and takes an hour.

4. DRAIN OUTDOOR WATER LINES - Disconnect and store hoses.  Shut off exterior faucets from the valve inside.  A frozen pipe is one of the most expensive and preventable things that can happen. 

5. CHECK ROOF AND CHIMNEY - Look from the ground for anything lifted or missing.  If you have a fireplace, get it swept before the first fire.  Creosote buildup is a real hazard. 

6. TEST SMOKE AND CO DETECTORS - Press the button.  Swap the batteries.  Every fall.  This one is not negotiable. 

Want our checklist with more than 90 items? Email jr@kennethjones.com and comment Checklist