Last Chance

• Seal coat the driveway. If you have a blacktop driveway, the fall is a great time to apply a layer of sealant. This treatment will help waterproof the surface and help stop water in the cracks and crevices from freezing and breaking up the surface. While this can be a tedious job, it is well worth it to help extend the life of the surface. If your driveway or walk is masonry or block, there are other sealing products that can be used to help prolong their life too.
• Outdoor furniture, hoses, other such items. Finally it's time to put away the garden hose, patio or deck furniture. If the outside spigots have a shut-off in the basement or elsewhere, don't forget to close them and let any remaining water run out so that it doesn’t freeze and crack the spigot. It’s also a good idea to leave the faucet open during the winter if you are able to turn the water off elsewhere. Clean porch and deck furniture, and look for any needed repairs. Cover and store outdoor furniture and barbecues in a protected area. Make sure all soil is emptied from pots and planters. Dirt left in clay pots will freeze and cause the pots to crack if left outside.
• Clean yard equipment. Prepare your yard equipment for storage. This includes draining fuel from all gas-operated equipment such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and chain saws. Check to see that all of your snow equipment is up and running before the first flurry falls. Organize your snow clearing gear. When snow arrives you’ll want to have shovels, roof rakes, and snow blowers where you can get to them.
• Cover air conditioners. Vacuum internal parts of air conditioners. Remove units from windows or wrap the outside box with an approved tarp or plastic air conditioner cover, to prevent rusting of vital parts.
• Touch up paint on the exterior to help stop rot. According to Carl Minchew, Director, Benjamin Moore Paints, "Peeling paint is a sign that the existing paint film is failing and can no longer protect the siding of the building. Left uncorrected, the siding itself will deteriorate, leading to expensive repairs in the future."
• Caulking and sealing. Caulk and seal any cracks and/or gaps around door and windows. Don't forget the basement. Be sure to caulk around windows and doorframes to prevent heat from escaping. “Caulking and sealing openings is one of the least expensive maintenance jobs,” says Michael Hydeck, Hydeck Design Build, Inc., Telford, PA, and National President, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). “Openings in the structure can cause water to get in and freeze, resulting in cracks and mold buildup,” he says.
• Inspect the roof. Make sure the roof is in good shape. Inspect for missing and loose shingles. "Ice, rain, snow, and wind combined with rapidly changing temperatures and humidity wreak havoc on roofs," says Jay Butch, Director, Contractor programs for CertainTeed Roofing. "Your roof is your first defense in protecting your home. It’s better to proactively deal with repairs in the fall than to discover a leaky roof during a snowstorm."
• Heating system. If the heating system hasn't been tuned up, this is the last chance. Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating contractor. Heating systems will use fuel more efficiently, last longer, and have fewer problems if properly serviced. Get your wood stove and fireplace in working order. Gary Webster, Creative Director of Travis Industries, suggests that you examine your wood stove or fireplace insert’s door gasket for a tight seal.
• Add a layer of insulation to the attic. The fall can be the last chance to add some insulation to the attic before it is too cold to up there. Ideally, attic should have up to 18 to 24 inches of insulation to achieve an R60 level in the northeast. Energy Star has some good information at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_attic_insulation.
• Change the thermostat. If you have a forced hot air furnace, installing a programmable thermostat can help save a good amount of energy. These thermostats allow you to set the heat in the house to a lower level when you are not there, or are sleeping. Forced hot air systems can heat a space quickly, so adjusting the heat can be beneficial without making the home uncomfortably cold.
• Reverse Ceiling Fan. Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling. Clean your humidifiers regularly during the heating season. Bacteria and spores can develop in a dirty water tank resulting in unclean moisture misting out into your room.

Fall Leaves

Fall is upon us and it seems as though the leaves have all suddenly started falling. It is a beautiful time of year, and one that comes with some outside chores to think about. Some people really enjoy the fall leaf clean up, while others feel that its more of a task that just needs to get done. No matter where you fall, cleaning up the leaves is important. Here are some good reasons:

• Fallen leaves on the lawn will deprive it of important sunlight during the fall months which can damage the grass.
• Leaves can also accumulate and get wet, leading to mold growth and attracting pests and insects. Leaf mold in the fall can trigger allergies.
• A heavy rain can wash leaves down to surface drains and storm drains, potentially clogging the inlets which may lead to your yard or street flooding.
• Wet leaves on patios, driveways, and walkways can be slippery.
• Don't forget to clear the leaves from your gutters too as they can clog the gutters and downspouts and stop them from working properly.

As for what to do with the leaves, the rules and practices vary by area. Some municipalities have "stump dumps", transfer stations, or other such places where you can take them. Others have leaf pick-up which is handy; information about it can be obtained at the local town office. Of course, some people have the space where they can compost their own. There are a few tricks that will make the whole leaf clean up a little easier.

• Pick up a small tarp, perhaps 8X10, and rake the leaves onto the tarp. This is easy to move around with you as you go. Once the tarp is full, you can drag it to where you will fill bags, dump it in a trailer, or add to your compost pile.
• You can also use your power lawnmower to mulch and bag the leaves to make the volume much smaller.
• If your yard is big, or the leaves are wet, this can be a big task - take frequent breaks and remember to drink lots of water.
• The right tools will make the job much easier. Padded handles or gloves can cut down on the number of blisters.
• Maybe this can even be a fun family activity. Who can rake the most leaves in 3 minutes? Who can rake an area and leave it the cleanest? If nothing else, it can be a fun way to spend some time together.