Inside Inspection
Ok so now that we have our list for outside the home we can plan for some work inside the home.
Lets start in the basement and work our way up to the attic. The first thing in your basement that will actually handle 2 jobs at the same time is to drain your water heater into your sump pump. You should drain your water heater once a year to remove sedimentation buildup and increase its life. If you are going to drain it you might as well run the water into your sump pump basin just to make sure it is working too. If you have a battery backup on your sump pump then unplug it and test the backup for a few minutes also.
Install a insulation blanket on your water heater to save money.
While that is happening you can take notice of any items that you just need to get rid of or sell online. You should also inspect all your outlets, switches, lights and other devices.
Change the filter on your furnace and or have a heater service come out and clean the unit.
Turn off the hose bibs for your outside water and drain them outside and if you have a sink in the garage turn off its supply line and drain the lines.
Clean out the clothes dryer vent pipe and make sure then make sure it is secure and sealed. Clean your washers lint trap.
Make sure you don’t have any small leaks on supply or waste lines for your plumbing.
Seal your HVAC Duct work with aluminum duct tape to reduce leaks. Insulate if you have a crawl space and not a heated basement.
Insulate your hot water supply lines with pipe insulation even if you have a heated basement.
Check the temperature setting on your hot water heater and set it to 120F to reduce electricity use. Install a timer so the heater won’t run when you are out of the home. Install a switch so you can turn it off if you are away for more then 2 days.
Moving upstairs
Check all of your windows and doors from the inside and make sure they all operate well and seal tightly. Install any weather stripping and caulk cracks as needed.
Check all of your smoke detectors and replace the batteries. Test that every smoke detector works and if you have a connected system go to each and make sure they alarm when the system is tested.
Check all of your kitchen plumbing. Replace ice maker water filters or filters for drinking water.
Install a magnetic vent cover over the inside portion of your kitchen vent to reduce air flow. Magnetic covers are able to be removed when you need to use it and are often decorative.
Have your fire place or wood burning stove cleaned and inspected. Order any wood you will be using in the winter or go chop it for free at your local state park if they allow that. Burn only untreated Hardwood in your fireplace.
Painting and Remodeling
The Fall months are when many people attempt remodeling projects but you should take into account that you will want to have open windows if you are painting. Painted Rooms can not be slept in the same day even if you use low voc paint. Refinishing Hardwood Floors requires constant temperature above 70F for at least a few days while you apply a few coats of stain and urethane. If you think you might attempt any remodeling project later in the fall or winter get the painting and staining out of the way early enough in the season that you can have open windows for as long as it takes without running your heater at full blast all day and night.
Attics should also be inspected you will want to enter the attic after a rain to check for any leaks from the inside. Look for plywood or boards that are darker or mold buildup. It is important to inspect the areas around your chimney and anyplace a vent exits the home.
If you have bathroom vents add vent pipe so the hot moist air will directly exit the home.
Insulation can also be upgraded in many homes. For all areas of the country whether you are in Hawaii or Alaska you should have at least an R-60 in your attic. This is about a foot deep of batting and a deeper amount of loose fill. Check our insulation guides for proper selection and your manufacture for exact ratings. If you are adding Insulation you may want to start with the bedroom areas first which may allow you to lower the heat a couple degrees over night. Always look for discounts on insulation and Tax incentives that can be taken on your next income tax return.
Make sure your attic vents are clear this is especially important if you have loose fill insulation. Good air flow is important in the summer to reduce heat buildup but also in the winter to reduce ice forming from melting snow. If you do have lose fill you can purchase ducts that staple to your rafters that will allow good flow inward from your over hang soffit vents.