Fall Inspection Checklist | This Old House

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Fall Inspection Checklist

This Old House online (Page 1 of 7)

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Give your house an annual physical. Here's what to look for.

How-To Video

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Watch The Video

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In the Magazine

October 2008 - Cut Energy Costs, Keep the Comfort Issue

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What You'll Learn:

Use this detailed checklist as a guide as you look around for leaks, cracks, breaks, wear, and every other conceivable problem that can develop over the year. Then make a repair list to keep up on maintenance in the coming months.

Electrical
Check trees around the house to be sure they're not threatening wires.
Open the panel and look for new scorch marks around breakers or fuses. Also check outlets for scorch marks, which could be a sign of loose and sparking wires.
Look for loose outlet covers, receptacles, and loose boxes, which may have to be refastened to the studs while the power is turned off.
Test all GFCI outlets by plugging in a lamp and then hitting the test and reset buttons to see if it turns the light off and then on again.
Go around with a electrical tester (or lamp) to make sure all outlets work

Download a printable version of the entire Fall Checklist here.