The seasonal autumn home maintenance checklist every homeowner should do this weekend

Before freezing overnight temperatures arrive, spending 2 hours on your exterior saves thousands in springtime emergency calls:

1. Hose bibs & backflow valves: Disconnect every garden hose! Leaving a hose connected prevents the frost-free sillcock from draining, which bursts the copper pipe 8 inches inside your warm wall. 2. Water heater flush: Hook a garden hose to the bottom brass drain valve and flush 5 gallons out into a bucket until sediment stops churning. This extends tank life by 3 to 5 years. 3. Foundation grading check: Walk the perimeter after rain. Ensure soil slopes at least 6 inches downward over a 10-foot span away from concrete slabs. 4. Furnace filter & flame sensor: Swap your MERV 8 or 11 filter. Pull the flame sensor probe and gently rub the carbon buildup with fine steel wool.

What is one preventative maintenance chore you used to overlook until it broke?