Fall Maintenance for Minnesota Homeowners

While it's still officially summer for another week, it's a good time to get started on your fall maintenance list.  It's much easier working on these projects while it's still pleasant outside; don't put these projects off until the first snow.

This list was compiled by Delano Home Inspector Duane Erickson, of Structure Tech Home Inspections.

Water

• Disconnect any garden hoses.
• Turn off the water supply to the exterior sillcocks and drain the water out.
• Have the lawn sprinkler system drained and blown out with compressed air.
• Drain any exterior fountains.

Air

• Clean the combustion air or makeup air intake vents.
• If an air exchange system is present, such as a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), clean the intake.  These look just like the combustion air intake vents, but because they’re connected to a fan, they get dirty much faster.
• Clean the clothes dryer duct.  The damper should move freely and close properly.
• Check the bathroom and kitchen exhaust dampers for wasp nests.  

Roof

• Clean the soffit vents.  These can get clogged up with lint, dust, insulation, and paint.  They’re located under the roof overhangs.
• Check the roof vents for bird nests.
• Clean the gutters after all the leaves have fallen.
• If the downspouts or sump pumps drain in to an underground system, re-direct them to drain to the ground surface when feasible.

Air Conditioner

• Outdoor covers are NOT necessary.  If a cover is used, it should be the type that only covers the top, not a full enclosure.
• If the furnace or water heater vent blows exhaust gas on to the air conditioner, a plastic cover can be used to shield the air conditioner from the corrosive exhaust gases.
• Don’t cover heat pumps (these are not common in Minnesota).

General Exterior

• Seal any gaps around the house; check for loose or dried out caulking around pipes, ducts, faucets, air conditioner refrigerant lines, etc.  
• Replace any damaged or worn weatherstripping around windows and doors.

Smoke / CO Alarms

• Smoke alarms should be located inside every bedroom, and one in a common area on every level.
• CO alarms should be located within ten feet of every sleeping room (and not in furnace rooms, kitchens, or garages).
• Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and test check the test buttons.
• Check the age of your smoke and CO alarms; smoke alarms are good for up to ten years, CO alarms are good for up to five years.  If they’re any older, replace them.

Furnace

• Have a professional furnace tune-up performed annually.
• Clean or replace the furnace filter – this should be done at least every one to three months, depending on the type of filter.  The arrow on the filter should point toward the furnace.

Fireplaces

• Have the flues professionally cleaned on any wood burning fireplaces.
• Make sure spark arrestors are installed on all flues.
• Avoid burning any woods that are not hard and dry.
• Clean the dust out of the bottoms of any gas fireplace inserts.
• If you have a gas log installed in a wood burning fireplace with an adjustable damper, make sure there is a damper stop installed to prevent the damper from getting closed all the way.

Last but not least, Duane says "Cuddle, stay warm, and safe sledding."