HOME MAINTENANCE: Preparations for Fall & Winter

Posted:  22 Sep 13

1.  Purpose

To provide a handy list of useful household references to consider -- as the two approaching colder seasons -- introduce the need for a whole different set of annual strategies -- necessary to protect our dwellings and loved ones.

Specifically, the list at the end of this bulletin leads you to interesting websites, full of expert suggestions.

• The listed sites are not just for California conditions, but national, too.  Some autumn and winter advice may not apply to life here, but many of our neighbors have interests in wintry zones in the mountains, Lake Tahoe, and the like.
• Besides, this City-Journal and successor systems are meant to serve neighbors all across this nation.

2.  Discussion

Yesterday's end of summer, accompanied by an abrupt and significant rainstorm, led to much gutter-clearing work at my home.  We've learned to take this sort of thing seriously, as dry rot and damage to foundations can be the price for neglect.

Then, too, there are a host of other wise things to check to insure home safety, economy, and efficiency -- like checking chimneys and fireplaces, furnaces, smoke detectors, dusty laundry vents, and so on.


3.  The Link-list of Handy References

1. Home Maintenance Schedule and Checklist (Lowes) [year-round]
2. Autumn Preparations: Winterize Car, Home and Family (Life123)
3. September Home Maintenance Checklist (MSN Real Estate)
4. Fall Home Maintenance Checklist (Bob Vila)
5. Home Maintenance Checklist for Fall and Winter (Lennox)
6. 10 Home Maintenance Tips for this Fall Season. (Freshome Design & Architecture)
7. 15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter (Kiplinger)
8. Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist (Organized Home)
9. Your Home's Fall Checklist (Better Homes & Gardens)
10. Prepare And Maintain: Fall Home Maintenance Checklist (The Home Depot Blog)
11. Checklist: Fall Preventative Home Maintenance (Home Advisor)
12. Prepare Your Home for Fall and Winter (Reader's Digest)
13. Fall Home Maintenance Checklist (On the House Express Newsletter)
14. This list should get you started.  And, of course, good ol' Google has a lot more to say.

Here's to a happy second half of 2013 -- with no lingering bad effects from the adventure.


David Nelson

Oh, and remember: "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." -- Albert Camus






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