Since many of us have been spending more time at home with the current environment, there are no excuses to continue to put off certain tasks around the house. Here’s a quick checklist that can help you freshen up your home and protect it against outdoor elements.
Clean gutters and downspouts. This will help water flow easily, so it won’t get backed up and damage your house.
Check your roof and chimneys for damage, and get it repaired as soon as possible.
Wash windows and screens inside and out. Screens should be taken outside, then rinsed thoroughly with soap and water. If screens are damaged, repair or replace them.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This should be done every three months so you and your family will stay protected in case of fire, smoke or a carbon monoxide leak.
Vacuum the lint from the hose of your clothes dryer. Built-up lint can cause a fire.
Test GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets, which are designed to protect you from electric shocks. Plug in a lamp, push the test button and then the reset button to see if it turns the light off and on again.
Check trees around the house to make sure they’re not too close to power lines, and call a tree service to trim them back if they are.
Change furnace filters to keep them running efficiently.
Check the ground around the foundation of your house and re-grade it if necessary. This can help keep water overflows away from the house and prevent water damage.
Make sure there are no leaks or drafts around doors or windows. If there are, seal them with caulking.
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