It’s that time of year when the air is crisp and inviting; the hum of air conditioners has been silenced; and you’re able to open the windows and enjoy a cleansing cross breeze throughout your home.  It’s also a time of year for the honey-dos.  No, it’s not a melon.  It’s a simple list of preventive measures homeowners can take to ready their home and themselves for the winter.

1.       If not caught early, roof issues can result in some very expensive repairs.  Look for loose or worn tiles.  Inspect the flashings for leaks, and clear out all debris from the gutters and downspouts. Trimming your trees away from the roof line can also prevent a lot of damage the branches and foliage may cause.

2.       Identify and block leaks in and around the home.  Here’s an easy and fragrant way to find these drafty leaks:  on a breezy day, light a stick of incense and take a tour of your home, focusing on recessed light fixtures, widows, door frames and electric outlets.  According to EarthWorks Group, the average home has leaks which when combined amount to a 9 square foot hole in the wall!

3.       Check the attic insulation.  Experts have determined that we need a minimum of 12 inches in our attic space.  A quick visual is usually all that is needed.  The rule of thumb is:  If you go into the attic crawl space and you can see the ceiling joists you know you don’t have enough, because a ceiling joist is at most 10 or 11 inches.

4.       Since most of us no longer use a wood burning fireplace as our sole source of heat, hiring a chimney sweep might be over-kill.  However, it is always a good idea to make sure the fireplace has been cleaned in preparation for seasonal use and that the damper works properly.  Most newer homes come equipped with a spark arrester atop the chimney.  If you don’t already have one, it is a wise investment.  Besides keeping small critters and birds away from your chimney, it also prevents live embers from escaping.

5.       Service your heating unit to make sure it’s ready to warm up the house the few nights it drops below 50 degrees in Scottsdale.

6.       This is the perfect time of year to take care of any indoor painting you’ve been considering.  The temperature is mild enough to leave windows open for ventilation and allow for paint to dry quickly.

Most of us don’t look forward to the honey-do list, however, staying on top of home maintenance prevents small problems from turning into large costly damage.  Saving money on our energy bills is also a nice incentive.  Have fun.