Tips to Prepare Your Flagstaff Golf Home for Fall

Did you hear that? Summer rode off into the sunset, and those who wistfully look after him might hear the last echoes of the hoofbeats of his horse.

Or maybe autumn is your favorite season, and you have already been reveling in the colors and temperatures that summer’s replacement brought in. Red and yellow looks a little gaudy on hotdog stands, but it looks amazing on the landscape of Flagstaff, AZ.

Either way, have you ever considered that autumn is a great time to do a little home maintenance? Here are some things to consider doing before winter really sets in.

1. Drain/Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation Systems

During the freezing months, there is a danger of bursting pipes and such. Be sure to drain these. If you don’t have shut-off valves and therefore cannot drain your outdoor faucets, think about getting styrofoam faucet covers. Unless, of course, your faucets are the freeze-proof kind.

2. Service Heating Systems

This can include cleaning or replacing dirty furnace filters, checking chimneys and vent pipes, and following the manufacturer’s instructions for general maintenance, to name a few.

Actually, many recommend getting your heating system checked by a professional every year. That way you can be sure that no one gets hurt from leaking gas or carbon monoxide poisoning. Click here for Google’s business listing, which is a good place to start if you don’t know who to call.

3. Perform a Home Safety Check

While your at it, why not perform a full home safety check? Here’s a short, non-exhaustive list of things you might consider:

• Test smoke and CO detectors.
• Inspect/purchase fire extinguishers.
• Go over fire escape plans with the family.
• Get rid of old newspapers and other fire hazards.

4. Store Air Conditioners

Do you have window air conditioner units? Unplug them, take them down, dust and clean them, then store them. That way you can close your window against the cold, and prolong the life of the A/C unit by getting it out of the weather.

5. Replace Screens with Storm Windows

This will prolong the life of your screens and give your windows additional protection from the cold wind.

6. Clean Water Heater

Are you ready for some more advanced steps? As the weather cools, your water heater will have to work harder to compensate for the colder water coming in through its pipes. Return the favor by giving it some TLC.

Drain it first with a garden hose attached to the drain valve, then take off the hose and see if you can clear out debris just inside the valve. Ehow has more detailed steps. Click here to see them.

7. Repair Window Caulking and Door Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping can be bought in many shapes and sizes. Click here to look at some on Amazon. If you have a lot of caulking to do you’ll probably want a caulking gun; otherwise, one of those small hand tubes should work.

Want More?

We recommend the more exhaustive, printable checklist by bobvila.com. Click here to view and print it.