Fall Checklist: A home maintenance to-do list now that summer's over

Nothing beats the end-of-summer blues like a good weekend (or 10) of hard work.

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Home

• Keep the air moving. Check, clean and vacuum dust from your dryer vent, air-conditioner, stove hood, room fans, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns. Keep your heating and cooling vents free from furniture and draperies.

• Go below. Check your crawlspace for standing water, mold — and wildlife.

• Exterior investigation. Secure, replace and/or repaint any sad-looking siding or trim; replace damaged bricks; and repair damaged stucco. Also make sure your outdoor electrical receptacles are watertight.

• You're getting warmer. Have your heating system inspected and/or serviced — whether it's a furnace, fireplace or space heater — and change the filters. Check pilot lights and burners, too, and look for gas leaks and adequate ventilation.

• A clean sweep. Have your fireplace flue and liners cleaned to prevent creosote buildup.

• Up-high upkeep. Clean your gutters and downspouts, and make sure they're securely attached. Your roof should be watertight, too. Look for missing, cracked or loose shingles; gaps in the flashing where the roofing and siding meet; and damaged mortar around the chimney.

• While it's warmish ... Paint inside while you can still leave the windows open — same for shampooing or replacing carpets.

• Insulation information. Insulate, weatherstrip and caulk before winter worms its way in. Replace old insulation with some made from recycled paper, glass or other recovered materials. Caulk exterior joints around windows, doors, utility-line entrances and vents.

• Testing, testing. Give your emergency generator a try. You know, just in case the power happens to go out this fall.

Garden

• Set down roots. It's a great time to plant, while the soil is still warm and moist and the air is starting to cool. Be sure to thoroughly water your new plant pals.

• Leave the leaves where they fall. Mulch leaves into the grass to give your lawn some added nutrients. Or start a compost pile.

• Mulch a bunch. Cover plants with mulch — compost, partially decomposed leaves, woodchips and bark can all be used to give plants an extra blanket of protection for winter.

• Split 'em up. Most perennials need to be divided at least every three years to stay healthy and productive, and fall is the best time to transplant, divide or plant them.

• Fill in the blanks. Before the real rains dump on us, fill in any erosion in your yard, fertilize and reseed.

• Trees company. Give your big trees a checkup: Look for dead or detached branches, cavities or rotten wood along trunks or branches, mushrooms at the base, cracks or splits in trunks and trees that have been topped or heavily pruned. If you see any signs of hazards, call a professional tree service. Also trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or your roof.

• Healthy hacking. Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy spring growth.

• Bring 'em in. Clean and store tools, toys and outdoor furniture. Dip garden shears, weeders, pruners, spades and other hand tools in sand mixed with motor oil to clean and lubricate them before storing. (Keep propane tanks outside, though, covered with a plastic bag or tarp.)

• Pull-ups. Uproot dead potted annuals; throw out the soil; and store the pots in a shed, garage or basement.

• Focus on flowers. Deadhead perennials (leaving some seeds on flowers for the birds). You can plant fall pansies and kale in September and crocus, daffodils and tulips in late October.

• Pre-rain drainage check. Make sure any and all surface water drains away from your house.

Sources: www.bobvila.com; yardcare.com; homegarden.move.com;www.hometeaminspection.com; www.weather.com; www.waff.com; www.epa.gov; Mary Robson, retired area horticulture agent for Washington State University/King County Cooperative Extension.

This is a seasonal feature in digs compiled by Sandy Dunham, Seattle Times desk editor.