Fall Tips

 

Inside Your Home

General Tips

• Check for hidden leaks by turning off faucets, all water-using appliances, and not flushing toilets for one hour. Record the water meter reading. If the flow indicator (triangular or diamond-shaped rotating button) is spinning or the meter reading has changed while no water is being used, a leaking pipe may exist.
• Know where the main water shut off valve is located in your home and check it frequently to make sure it is operational.

Kitchen

• Dishwasher - Periodically check under the sink to see if the hose connection to the water supply line is secure and is not leaking. Check around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks.
• Refrigerator - If your refrigerator has an icemaker, check the hose connection to make sure it is securely attached to the water supply line.
• Sink – check pipes under sink for water leaks re-caulk where needed. Look for slow-draining pipes as this may indicate a partially blocked drain.

Bathroom

• Showers and bathtubs - Discoloration or soft areas around floors and walls near showers or bathtubs may be your first indication that there is a leak. Check caulking at joints where the walls meet the floor or the bathtub, look for cracks or mold. If either is found, clean and remove loose material and apply new sealant. If the shower walls or floor are tiled, a leak may develop if there are cracks or missing areas of grout.
• Sinks - Check under the sink for signs of leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes.
• Toilets – Check for cracked or missing caulk around the base of toilet.

Laundry/Utility Room

• Washing Machine - Inspect washing machine hoses regularly for wetness around hose ends and signs of bulging, cracking or fraying. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every three to five years as part of a proactive maintenance program.
• Water heater - Most water heaters last 10 to 15 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Hot water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home and always located next to a floor drain.
• Air conditioning - At the start of the cooling season, have the A/C system serviced by a qualified contractor. Change the air filters on a regular basis.

Basement

• Sump pump - Sump pump systems assist in keeping unwanted water out of your home. Battery-operated back-up sump pumps can offer a degree of protection against power failure or failure of the primary pump. A generator can also be used to power the pump in case of a power failure. Test the sump pump before the start of each wet season to ensure it is in working order.

Windows/Doors:

• Check all window and door locks for proper operation.
• Check glazing for loose or missing putty or glazing compound. Doing so will help reduce water damage to the windows and doorframes.
• To help reduce heating and cooling loss, make sure the caulking around doors and windows is adequate.
• All exterior doors should have deadbolt locks.

Safety ideas for stairs:

• Tile and painted wood or concrete stairs can be slippery when wet or when a person's shoes are wet. Resurface the treads with slip-resistant strips near the stair nosing.
• All stairs of at least three risers should have a handrail.
• Do not store items on the stairs.
• Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs.

Furnace, Wood burning Stoves & Chimneys:

• Wood burning stove connector pipes and chimneys should be inspected annually. Have a certified chimney sweep, inspect and clean the flues and check your fireplace damper. Soot and creosote, which build up inside the chimney, can ignite when a fire is lit in the fireplace.
• Remove bird nests from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures.
• Replace your furnace filter. Furnace filters need to be replaced frequently to allow your heating and cooling systems to operate properly.
• Have a heating professional check your heating system every year.

Outside Your Home

General Tips

• Leaking roofs, poor drainage, and clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to significant water damage inside your home.
• Disconnect garden hoses from all spigots before the start of winter.
• Fill in any low spots around the house so water drains away from the foundation.
• Repaint wood siding as needed.
• Run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel tank is empty. By doing this, you are removing flammable liquid storage from your garage. At the same time, make sure you aren't storing dirty, oily rags in a pile. They can ignite spontaneously

Roof

• Proper roof and eave ventilation may help extend the life of the roof by reducing the buildup of heat and moisture in the attic.
• Avoid walking on a roof to limit wear and tear.
• Keep trees trimmed to prevent them from rubbing against the roof or from providing excessive shade.
• Missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles could signal roof problems.
• Damage or deterioration around the flashing at chimneys, vents and other junctions and deterioration in valley areas of the roof could also signal problems with the roof.
• Look for water stains on your ceiling. If possible, check your attic around flues, plumbing vents, and chimneys.
• Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat or low sloped roofs may indicate low areas with inadequate drainage.

Gutters/Downspouts

• Clean debris from your gutters and downspouts and inspect them regularly.
• Consider purchasing gutter shields if your gutters frequently fill with debris.
• Downspouts should extend several feet away from the house to carry water away from the foundation.