Fall Home Prep Checklist

September is National Preparedness Month

General Fall Checklist

Clean gutters & downspouts. Make sure extensions discharge at least 4–6 ft from the foundation and that underground lines are clear.
Inspect and seal window/door gaps. Re‑caulk or add weather‑stripping where you see light, drafts, or cracked sealant.
Test smoke & CO detectors. Use the test button. Replace batteries if needed. Replace smoke alarms at 10 years; CO detectors at ~5–7 years.
Check sump pump operation. Lift the float to trigger a cycle, verify the check valve, and confirm the discharge line is clear and pitched correctly.

5‑Minute Home Safety Wins

Check fire extinguishers: gauge in the green, accessible, and not expired.
Label your breaker panel: plain language labels (e.g., “Fridge,” “Furnace,” “Sump”).
Find and label your main water shut‑off. Make sure everyone in the home knows its location and how to use it.
Test GFCI outlets with “TEST/RESET” buttons (kitchen, bath, garage, exterior).
Vacuum dryer lint screen & check the vent path for lint buildup.
Confirm your furnace drain/condensate line is clear before heating season.
Update an emergency contact list and store it in your phone and on the fridge.

Get your Heating System Ready

Are you due for a new filter? Standard 1″ filters: swap in a new filter about every 30–90 days. 4–5″ media filters: typically 4-6 months, depending on lifestyle factors. Click here to get filters delivered straight to your door step.

Test your heating system before the real cold arrives to avoid wait times during peak demand. Simply wait for a cooler day/night and turn your heat on for a few hours to ensure it’s in working order. If something doesn’t seem to be working right, give our team a call and we’ll ensure your ready for the upcoming season.

Schedule your annual furnace maintenance. Our schedule can fill up fast and it’s never too early to reserve your preferred spot.

Backup Power as Part of a Family Plan

A whole‑home generator isn’t about convenience; it’s about keeping heat, sump pumps, medical devices, and refrigeration running when the grid goes down. Keep it simple and plan for:

Decide what must stay on

Furnace/boiler or air handler
Sump pump(s) and backup pump
Refrigerator/freezer
Medical devices & key outlets
Router & a few lights

If outages are common where you live, a correctly sized standby unit can keep water out of the basement and pipes from freezing. We can size loads and explain fuel options without pressure.

Light‑Bulb Swap Season

Shorter days are on the way. Swap burned‑out bulbs now and consider LEDs or smart bulbs for efficiency and control.

Color temperature: 2700–3000K for living areas; ~4000K for task spaces.
Dimming: verify bulb + dimmer compatibility to avoid flicker.
Exterior: add dusk‑to‑dawn or motion fixtures for safety and energy savings.

GFCI Outlets

Those outlets with TEST and RESET buttons are Ground‑Fault Circuit‑Interrupters (GFCI). They cut power in milliseconds if they sense a shock risk—required in kitchens, baths, garages, basements, laundry, and exterior locations.

How to test

Press TEST. The outlet should click off and the indicator light should go dark. The outlet should no longer provide power to anything plugged in.
Press RESET to restore power. The indicator light should be illuminated.

If a GFCI won’t reset, trips immediately, or is warm to the touch, stop using it and have a licensed electrician inspect the circuit.

Water Heater: Keep the Hot Water Hot

Annual flush to reduce sediment and improve efficiency/lifespan
Anode rod inspection roughly every 3–5 years (sooner with hard water).
Check the T&P relief valve for proper operation and look for any signs of leaks or corrosion.
Schedule a water heater tune-up if your unsure of the last time it was given some TLC.

Sump Pumps & Backups

When it pours, your sump pump is the hero. Treat it like one.

What to check

Lift the float to confirm the pump starts and stops. The float mechanism should move effortlessly up and down.
Inspect the check valve and discharge line for clogs or dips.
Add a high‑water alarm you can hear upstairs or via an app.

Service life & backups

Primary pumps often last 7–10 years in average use; heavy‑use homes may see 3–7 years.
A battery backup or water‑powered backup. This buys precious time during outages.

Want a pro to look this over?

Enrolling in a Peace of Mind members helps ensure life keeps going smoothly. Click here to explore memberships today!

This guide is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a licensed inspection.
If you see, smell, or hear anything unusual, shut things down and call a professional.