Running Smoothly: Your Fall Mechanical Prep Checklist

The days are getting shorter and the squirrels have stockpiled acorns, so it’s time to get the house ready for winter weather.

Colder days mean more time spent indoors, so make sure everything is running smoothly and efficiently in your home.LightField Studios/Shutterstock

The key to starting the fall home mechanical checklist—in fact, any checklist—is to pick a few easy items that can be accomplished quickly. This provides a sense of satisfaction while reducing the number of tasks, which makes the overall endeavor seem just a bit less daunting.

On that note, start by checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly and replacing the batteries, even if you did this in the spring. The National Fire Protection Association recommends changing detector batteries every 6 months. The only exception is a 10-year smoke alarm with a built-in 10-year battery. No matter what style you have, look at the manufacture date; if it’s older than 10 years, the entire unit should be replaced. This includes hardwired alarms with a battery backup. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every seven years.

Testing, Testing

Fire extinguishers are another quick yet critical item to check. Visually inspect each, making sure it is still charged and that the firing pin is in good condition and set properly in place. Check for signs of damage or corrosion, and make sure there is no obstruction of the discharge nozzle. If the unit is more than six years old, replace it.