Annual Home Check-up

Once a year, it's a good idea to give your home a checkup. Finding problems or potential problems in their early stages usually gives you the best chance to make repairs more easily and less expensively than if problems are allowed to worsen over time.

The kinds of things you'll want to monitor in your home include:

• * Gutters and downspouts: Inspect for leaf and debris buildup that can cause overflow problems.
• * Paint: Make sure painted surfaces aren't peeling or cracked, exposing wood to weather damage.
• * Windows: Check the weatherproofing and caulking and replace cracked panes.
• * Roof: Inspect tiles or shingles and flashing to prevent leaks; clean off any moss.
• * Appliances: Check and replace frayed electrical cords, damaged plugs, and cracked or leaking hoses.