Fall Inspection Guide

by Jan Richey | October 3, 2013

Autumn is finally here! Now that the triple digit temperatures are a distant memory, make some time to inspect your house from the outside in. Hopefully, it will save large and costly repairs in the long run. Here are five simple inspection steps from the experts of This Old House Magazine.

1. Judge a book by its cover – look at your home head on, paying attention to cracks, stains, peeling paint, and any other noticeable (and not so noticeable) things that need an update.
2. Come in for a closer look – once you’ve identified problem spots, examine them in more detail, looking for bigger potential problems like deterioration.
3. Get the inside scoop – look for structural issues or areas of water damage inside, like sagging floors or ceilings. Be wary of potential pests in small areas and crawl spaces as well.
4. Let the water run – check out your plumbing, looking for signs of corrosion or possible leaks, as well as smaller issues such as a loose shower tile.
5. All systems go – schedule your first furnace maintenance before the weather takes a drastic turn and examine your electrical system, testing your GFCI receptacles and replacing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Read the entire article here.

Image courtesy of realestate.msn.com