Cool weakends are an ideal time to get your house in shape for fall. Since it can cost far more to repair a neglected home than to maintain one, it just makes sense to do what you can to protect it. Besides you'll save money and have fewer headaches in the future. It may be easy, however, to concentrate on the superficial decorations and overlook important aspects of the exterior like gutters and windows. Those are good places to begin.





-Step 1:
Clean the gutters and ridge vents. Leaves and debris clogging the gutters and ridge vents cause rainwater to back up and can cause flooding of your basement as well as damage you foundation and landscaping.

-Step 2:
Clean your windows and screens. Inspect the screens and repair any holes or tears before swapping them for storm wllidows and doors. Replace cracked glass in windows, use weather stripping around doors, and caulk wIndows.

-Step 3:
Schedule a chimney sweep. It's been months since you've had a fire in the fireplace, so have the chimney cleaned to remove creosote, debris, or nesting critters.

-Step 4:
Call heating, professionals to checky our unit. If your furnace was working properly last winter, it may not seem necessary, but taking this preventative step now may avoid expensive repair jobs later or a Nebraska winter night with no heat

-Step 5:
Trim trees and hedges. Tree branches hanging over the roof can damage shingles or roof tiles if snow or ice cause them to break.

-Step 6:
Take care of weather specific equipment. Drain the gas from lawn mowers, and clean and dry summer gardening tools. It's also a good time to service or tune-up snow blowers.

-Step 7:
Inspect the roof: Replace any loose or damaged tiles or shingles, and inspect caulk or seals around plumbing stacks, solar tubes and vents. If you're not comfortable on the ladder, arrange for an inspection.

-Step 8:
Prevent plumbing freezes. Locate your water main in case you need to shut it off in an emergency. Drain all garden hoses, and insulate exposed pipes. Drain air conditioner pipes and, if it has a water shutoff valve, turn it off.

-Step 9:
Inspect the deck or patio. Clean the deck with soapy water and pole brush. Remove strains with deck wash. After it's dry, roll on an environmentally safe water sealer. Use and eco-friendly concrete cleaner to scrub patio. Rinse well

-Step 10:
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Fire officials say smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. Buy extra batteries .and check the ones you have with a bit of actual smoke, not just the test button. Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace or water heater. Buy a fire extinguisher or replace one older than 10 years.

DuctMedic- Air Quality and home and safety experts