August maintenance for a subarctic climate

August7 tasks

1. This week
   Before the first freeze (~Sep 1): disconnect hoses and drain outdoor faucets.

   Water left in a hose bib can freeze, split the pipe inside the wall, and only leak when you turn it on in spring.

   How

   Remove hoses, close the indoor shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet if you have one, and open the outside faucet to drain it.

   Before the first freezeTypical first freeze ~Sep 1 (NOAA 1991–2020, 50% date)Ready.gov: Winter weather
2. This week
   Before the first freeze (~Sep 1): shut off and drain or blow out the sprinkler system.

   Frozen water cracks backflow preventers and valves, an expensive spring surprise. (Skip if you have no in-ground irrigation.)

   How

   Close the irrigation shutoff, then drain per the system’s design or book a compressed-air blowout.

   Before the first freezeTypical first freeze ~Sep 1 (NOAA 1991–2020, 50% date)
3. This month
   Press the test button on every smoke and CO alarm.

   An alarm you have not heard in months may have a dead battery or sensor. NFPA recommends testing smoke alarms at least once a month.

   How

   Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.

   MonthlyEvery homeNFPA: Smoke alarms
4. This month
   Look under every sink and around toilets and the water heater for drips.

   Slow leaks rot cabinets and subfloors long before they show. Catching one early is a washer, not a floor.

   How

   Use a flashlight: feel supply lines and the shutoff valves, look for stains, warped cabinet floors or a toilet that rocks.

   Every 3 monthsEvery home
5. This month
   Fill the heating oil or propane tank and check its gauge before winter.

   Running out in a cold snap means no heat and, with oil, often a service call to restart the burner.

   How

   Check the tank gauge, schedule a fill or automatic delivery, and keep the path to the fill pipe clear.

   YearlySubarctic climate region
6. This month
   Before the first freeze (~Sep 1): insulate pipes in the crawlspace, garage and exterior walls.

   Pipes in unheated spaces are the ones that freeze. Foam sleeves cost little next to a burst pipe.

   How

   Fit foam pipe sleeves on exposed lines and seal drafts where pipes pass through outside walls.

   Before the first freezeTypical first freeze ~Sep 1 (NOAA 1991–2020, 50% date)Ready.gov: Winter weather
7. Watch
   Vacuum the refrigerator condenser coils.

   Dusty coils make the compressor run longer and hotter, especially in summer.

   How

   Unplug the fridge, remove the bottom grille (or pull it out to reach rear coils) and vacuum with a brush attachment.

   YearlyEvery home