Leaves, glorious leaves... where do we put them?

Sweepers, vacuums, blowers and rakes...ughhhh there has to be a better way.

Exterior Stuff:

Rooftops: are they free of debris? Clean the skylights, have a roofer examine your roof surface to make sure the integrity of the roof is still intact.
Gutters...yes it often feels like perpetual care, but alas, somebody has to do it. Clogged gutters and leaders mean overflowing, which can lead to water at grade, water in the basement, ice filled gutters and leaks.
Water will only flow away from your home if there is an adequate pitch away from the foundation. Walk around your home and look for low spots, basement windows in the flood plain and trees and shrubbery too close.
Cool weather is a great time to prune or re-locate shrubs.
The Chimney: Are you planning romantic fires in your home without the soot coated smoke that oft comes along with multiple fire engines and sirens? Clean those sooty flues before heating season is upon us. The chimney sweeps are waiting for your call. But avoid the scams, try a local well established sweep with a list of checkable references.
Have them look for damaged brick, cracks in top courses and the crown... and make sure you have a chimney cap to keep animals out.
Prune overhanging trees. These tend to drop on the home in heavy rains and wind storms. Precautionary tree-work can greatly reduce potential damages.
Hose Bibbs, spigots, faucets: Yes it's time to drain them... turn off the interior valves and leave the exterior valves open a crack to avoid freeze-ups. Reel up the hoses and put them away dry.

In the yard:

Put away swings, play equipment and yard implements. Power tools should be drained of gasoline and stabilizer added to keep them lubricated and ready for next spring.

Safety items:

Check batteries on Smoke, Heat & Carbon Monoxide detectors, Make sure extinguishers are charged, and hang them in plain sight.
Keep combustibles away from heating equipment.
Make sure swimming pool gates self close and latch. Cover the pool, lock the gate and put away the pool supplies and equiment.
Wander around your home looking for exterior holes and gaps and fill with expanding foam to keep drafts and rodents out.

Interior Things:

If you still haven't insulated your pipes, now's a perfect time.
Add shades & draperies on the windows. Or mylar reflective film around sliders and French doors.
Insulate above the attic hatch or pull down stairs. This can save $$$ instantly.
Insulate crawl space foundations walls and add vapor barriers over dirt floors.
Check that fire extinguishers still have a charge and put together a storm emergency kit for your home.
And when you're done with this list, feel free to suggest a few more by calling into the show when we are on the air....203-845-3044

Wintertime is Carbon Monoxide Time !
7 Things to do to avoid problems ...

1. Have your heating equipment checked professionally. Annual tune-ups and service can eliminate leaks and soot. A poorly operating water heater, boiler or furnace can waste energy, burn poorly and make you sick.
2. Check the battery in your CO alarm. We recommend a new 9 volt battery at least once a year.
3. If the alarm is over 5 years old it may be time for a new module or a totally new unit.
4. Make sure your chimneys are clean and clear. Blocked chimneys allow CO to enter the home.
5. Never grill with charcoal or bring the hibachi into the home. Avoid idling the car in the garage.
6. Avoid using Kerosene or other non-vented heaters inside without proper ventilation.
7. The best place for an alarm is near the sleeping areas- to wake you up!

Listen each Saturday for more helpful info about your home from 8-9 on WSTC/WNLK