Checklist: Home Maintenance

Things to do with your money this weekend: Fall chores should include some preventive maintenance to stave off big home-repair bills.

Today: Schedule a furnace inspection and maintenance before colder weather sets in. If you have a fireplace, schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning. To find a certified chimney sweep, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America at https://www.csia.org or the National Chimney Sweep Guild at https://www.ncsg.org. Consider coordinating with your neighbors; some sweeps offer discounts for multiple households.

Saturday: Inspect ceilings, attics and roofs for signs of leaks. If you spot damage, schedule estimates from at least three roofing companies. Ask your neighbors for recommendations and check out roofers’ records with the Better Business Bureau at (909) 835-6069. Each background check costs $3.

Sunday: Scrape and repaint any worn exterior paint, or schedule a painter to do the work before rain can soak into wood and cause rot. Inspect gutters and downspouts to make sure rainwater is properly drained away from your home’s foundation.