Home Remodeling - Helpful Tips

Fall is just around the corner and homeowners are taking advantage of the warm weather to get a head start on home winterizing jobs. Making minor repairs in the fall can prevent costly repairs in the spring. With this in mind, here are a few items that should be on every homeowners fall checklist:


Fire up your furnace before the first cold snap to make sure it is operational. Book an appointment to have your furnace cleaned, inspected and safety checked. Depending on the system, you will need to have the furnace vacuumed, the filter changed and the pilot checked.

Check for blockage of attic louvers by wasp nests and put sheet metal, wire screen or wood over any openings, including under the eaves, to prevent animals from nesting.

Apply a fall fertilizer before the first frost. Keep the grass at about two and a half inches during the fall months.

Get your garage door ready for winter. Replace worn weatherstripping and make sure the door closes snugly to prevent rain and snow from entering.

Order your firewood this month. Tip: The average homeowner burns about half a cord of wood each year.

Have carpets cleaned to eliminate the grime from summer traffic and improve indoor air quality during the winter months.

Check doors and windows for proper caulking and weatherstripping. Do the draft test: hold a lit candle and run it along the seams of doors and windows. A flickering flame means your heating dollars are going out the window. Check the bottoms of doors for a snug threshold seal or door sweep.

Make sure your fireplace is in safe working order. Check that the damper opens and closes smoothly and fits properly to prevent heat loss. Check inside the fireplace to make sure no bricks are loose or broken.

Have your chimney cleaned this month so your heating system is ready for fall. If your fireplace is smoking excessively, have the chimney contractor check for fallen bricks. Installing a chimney cap can cure a smoking fireplace by improving the draft.

Wash windows to let in the maximum heat and light during cold winter days.

Check the roof for trouble signs such as broken or missing shingles, cracked, buckling or curling shingles, or bare spots where the granular coating has worn off. Check flashing around vents, skylights and chimneys. Look for pieces that have peeled back and for cracked caulking that could allow moisture penetration.

Make sure gutters are in good repair and have loose or sagging eaves repaired. Ensure downspouts are working effectively and runoff is directed away from the foundation of your home to avoid foundation damage.

Thinking of painting the guest room, upgrading the bathroom or redoing the hardwood floors for holiday entertaining? Get quotes now on interior decorating projects to avoid the holiday rush.