Autumn tips for your home. Well as the weather starts to change and the cooler and colder temperatures start to set in there are some things you can do to prep for the fall and winter around your new home.

I have a list of items you may find helpful and won't take up too much of your time over the next several weeks. Sorry guys, just trying to help I know the last thing you need is another list from a 3rd party. But here goes any way. :>)


1. If you have a home that sits on a crawl space foundation, walk around and close your crawl space vents, this will help keep your home warmer by keeping the colder air out.

2. Check the drain line(s) coming out of the foundation/and or the soffit from the attic that is connected to the furnace in your crawl space/ and or attic. This is a condensate line which may be hooked up to a condensate pump or the pan at the bottom of the furnace. Make sure this line is not clogged or blocked. If it is blocked, just detach it and run a hose through it. A clogged condensate line can cause some major water dammage to your home. Keep an eye on this. When running your AC during the summer, this line gets a good work out.

3. Check your Positive foundation drain located at the lowest point in your crawl space and should be running out to "daylight"in you lawn. This is usually a Black corrugated pipe 6" in diameter and it's purpose is to take water away from your foundation in case water has found it's way in. This can become clogged with leaves, grass clippings or even something building a nest in them. If they are clogged or blocked, clean them out. If you had a major leak or water infiltration to you crawl, this is the only way the water can drain from your crawl to keep you from having a swimming pool under your home.

4. Check your "French or Foundation" drain which is located at the lowest points of your grade or lawn. You may find more than one pipe and they should be running out to "Daylight" in you lawn. They like the Positive drain are usually Black corrugated pipe 6" in diameter and the purpose is to take water away from the outside of the foundation. They too can become clogged with leaves, grass clippings or even something building a nest in them. If they are clogged or blocked, clean them out.

5. Gutters and downspouts can fill with leaves and debris from winds and storms. Make sure after all the Autumn leaves have fallen, they get cleaned out. Remember that the gutters job is to take all that water coming off your roof and move it to a downspout(s) to get the water far away from your foundation. Water is the enemy of a homes exterior.

6. Check the outside of the windows for caulking that may have deteriorated over time. Caulking is to prevent air infiltration as well water. Caulk is an maintained item and should be repaired as required.

7. Don't forget to water you plantings before winter sets in. Your trees, shrubs and plants need a good dose of the old H20 before the freeze sets in. Also, mulch around the beds of your trees to keep the moister in for the winter. This will help them for the Spring time bloom.

8. One more thing; Daylight savings time is coming soon and is a great prompter for all to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and is a good time to check all your furnace filter as well.

Well, that's all I have for now. I will Blog you all again soon with more ideas for your home as they pop in my twisted little head.

Have fun playing in the yard and in your crawl space, and watch out for the spiders!!!!!

Your friend Scott