This is the season that will provide the most spectacular scenery of the year as the leaves on the trees turn color with the coming of cooler outdoor temperatures. Unfortunately, this process is the first sign that the leaves are dying and will be falling from the trees very soon (thus the word Fall). In order to prevent damage to your home in the coming winter the following precautions should be taken.

• Remove any leaves that have found their way to the roof of your home. These leaves will eventually end up in your gutters or cause staining, mold and mildew on your shingles if left on the roof for long periods of time. This should be done from the ground or from a ladder. Use extreme caution when climbing onto a roof!
• Inspect the roof system at this time for missing or damaged roof vents, shingles and flashing. Such repairs are warrantable at the time of pre-close and if verified to have been damaged under normal weather conditions only. Contact Brooks Homes if this is the case during the contract period. This inspection should be performed from the ground or from a ladder. Use extreme caution when climbing onto a roof!
• Clean all leaves and debris from the gutter system. Run a hose into the gutter and flush out the downspouts. Make sure there is a good flow free of debris coming through the discharge point. This will allow proper drainage and deter the probability of ice damming in the cold days to come. This should be done from the ground or from a ladder. Use extreme caution when climbing onto a roof!
• As you are running water through the gutters, check the entire gutter system for any leaks.

Any areas of gutter leakage will cause icicles to form on the bottom of the gutter during periods of freezing temperatures that may cause damage to the gutter, siding, windows, screens, or any other surface it comes in contact with. Icicles are also dangerous to humans in the event of falling from their point of origin. Repair any areas of leakage. Contact Brooks Homes if gutters leak during the contract period.

Now that you have inspected the gutter system and any repairs that were made, you can store away the garden hose for the rest of the year.

• Be sure to Disconnect all hoses from exterior faucets. Even if your home is equipped with frost-proof exterior faucets, the hose must be disconnected from the faucet to prevent freezing and bursting of water supply pipes within the structure. This is the responsibility of the homeowner and the builder is not responsible for any damage due to bursting water pipes if the hose was not connected.

Drainage Swales are provided to maintain proper drainage of your lot and should not be altered if draining properly. Fallen leaves may act as a dam in these areas causing water to stand in the area for long periods of time which can seriously damage grass and cause the soil to become soft and muddy. Any overflowing of the swales may cause water to stand in the area of the foundation causing hydrostatic pressure against the foundation.

• Remove leaves that have built-up in the drainage swales or drainage areas in the yard especially near the foundation. Removal of leaves is the responsibility of the homeowner. Check with your municipality office to find out if there is curbside leave pick-up or other means of discarding fallen leaves available to you.
• Check all weatherstripping and seals around windows and doors for deterioration that will cause the intrusion of water or excessive drafts. Brooks Homes is responsible to correct such deficiencies one time during the first year of occupancy. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain caulking once the condition has been corrected.
• Check exterior siding for delamination, splitting, joint separation or deterioration. Contact Brooks Homes if these condition exist during the contract period. Such deficiencies are the responsibility of the homeowner after the first year.
• Check the exterior painted and stained surfaces for deterioration. Contact Brooks Homes if deterioration is observed during the contract period.
• Check the grading around the foundation for signs of settlement that will cause water to not drain away from the structure. Fill any areas that have not settled more that 6” in depth. Contact Brooks Homes if settlement of more than 6” has occurred during the contract period.

Much like Spring, the Fall season may provide warm temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night and early morning.

• Now is the time to check the furnace to make sure it will heat properly during the cold winter days ahead.

Did you remember to change the furnace filter?

• With a clean filter in place, set the thermostat mode to heat. You may need to raise the temperature setting slightly higher to allow the furnace to operate. Open all in line dampers within the system and check all the registers in the home to make sure warm air is being distributed throughout.
• Check all visible ductwork for separations or leaks. Unless otherwise instructed by your builder, you should contact Brooks Homes if you find any problem with the operation of the system.
• Reset the thermostat to the desired temperature setting. Set the mode in your thermostat to “auto” to allow both the heating and cooling operations to maintain thermal regularity at this time.
• If your home is equipped with a fireplace, this is a good time to check the chimney and flue to make sure they are free of debris, bird nests, etc. Any obstructions in these areas will cause the appliance or fireplace to fill the home with smoke. Cleaning the flue or chimney is the homeowner’s responsibility after pre-close.

Remember the 3/10 rule for chimney operation (the top of the chimney must be 3’ higher than any surface within a distance of 10’ to allow proper drafting). Contact Brooks Homes if there is a concern regarding the height of the chimney during the contract period.

• Trim any tree branches that are in close proximity of the chimney. This is the responsibility of the homeowner after pre-close.