WINTER ALERT: Home Maintenance Tips To Prepare Your Home

While you soak up the remaining sun before the cool winter months arrive, here are 10 fall home-maintenance tips so your home is ready when the weather changes. Please take the time to check these items in and around your home (as they apply to you) and attend to any that may need maintenance.

1. Safety First: Clean and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and change batteries if needed. Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers.

2. Drains:  Drains, Inlets & Catch Basins: Important to routinely inspect for blockages.

3. Garage Tune-Up: Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil.

4. Gutters and Downspouts: Check and clear gutters of all debris every six months and after thunderstorms.

5. AC & Furnace: Check HVAC System and thermostat batteries. We recommend an inspection by a heating professional each season.

6. Front and Exterior Doors: Inspect the weather stripping and caulking to maintain a tight air seal.

7. Extreme Yard Makeover: Fill in holes and smooth bumps as needed for positive drainage.

8. Irrigation Controller: Reset clock for end of daylight savings time and after any power failures. Adjust to a winter schedule following per week Water Guidelines of Turf Areas- .75 – 1.0 inches and Shrub Areas- .50 – .75 inches.

9. Roofing System: Inspect the interior ceiling and attic for roof leaks. Inspect the exterior for debris, drainage and general condition. An inspection by a roofing professional is recommended.

10. Solar Panels: Flush your solar panels to remove any dust, pollen or leaves with a water hose from the ground level. If a lot of dust and dirt has accumulated, you might need to clean more thoroughly.

We recommend that homeowners continue to monitor their homes throughout the year to ensure their home serves them well into the future. The first priority of De Young Properties is our commitment to our homeowners. We take homebuilding very seriously by supporting our customers and standing behind our homes before, during and after the sale to ensure homeowner satisfaction. Please click here for warranty and customer care information.