Fall Clean Gems on the NwLineHomes

It's Fall along the NwLine in Chicagoland!

During the fall season, before it gets too cold, it's time time to prepare for the winter months to prevent costly damage later!Here's a few gems or tips on maintenance and protecting your home:

1. Clean your gutters and downspouts frequently.Neglected you could have some wet basements, or wood rot problems.


2. Put up the screens, and bring down the storms if you have triple track windows.


3. Check on your weather stripping or caulking around the windows and doors to prevent drafts & lower heating bills.


4. Clean & lubricate garage door hinges, rollers and tracks.


5. Time for the furnace check up to ensure optimal performance and change your filters.


6. Vacuum your heating ducts.


7. Call the chimney sweep if you use your fireplace regularly to prevent a chimney fire.


8. Make sure that the attic insulation vents are not covered with insulation. this could prevent winter ice dams on the roof.


9. Even though the grass doesn't seem to be growing, now is the perfect time to reseed or fertilize your lawn. The roots actually grow deeper to prepare for winter.


10. Prune your trees and shrubs to encourage healthy growth in the spring.


11. Set your thermostate for 68-72 degrees and drop it 5 degrees in the evening or when your not home. *you'll save some dough!

Here's my Fall Cleaning Checklist:

1. Launder the curtains after washing the windows.


2. Launder blankets & comforters to freshen for winter.


3. Turn the mattress and box springs.


4. Clean behind the stove and refrigerator.


5. Clean the light fixtures.


6. Clean the clothes dryer vent.

Now that everything is tidy, you'll find that there isn't as much dust & dirt circulating through the air when yourr home will be closed up for winter. Now your ready for friends to stop by over the Holidays.