Your 12-month plan for Kern County

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

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

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Cut run times, check each zone for broken heads, and press the rain sensor test if it has one.

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

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Open the indoor valve, run the outside faucet for a minute, then check the wall behind it and the basement ceiling for drips.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.

Run hot water at the tap closest to the heater for a minute and measure with a kitchen thermometer; adjust the dial in small steps.

Use a short-term test kit in the lowest lived-in level, keep windows closed per the kit, and mail it to the lab. EPA recommends fixing at 4 pCi/L or more.

Narrate as you go, open closets, and save the file somewhere off the phone (and to My Home).

Check the model’s filter part number in the manual or on the filter itself.

Look for cracked caulk at windows, trim and penetrations; recaulk with an exterior-grade sealant when it is dry.

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

Unplug the dryer (and shut the gas valve on a gas dryer), disconnect the duct, brush it out, and check the outside flap opens freely.

It is usually where the line enters the house or near the meter. Close it, open a faucet to confirm, then reopen it fully.

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

Unscrew aerators, or tie a bag of vinegar around the showerhead overnight, then rinse.

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

Lay a 2x4 flat under the door and close it. It should reverse on touching the board. Also wave something through the photo-eye beam while it closes.

Turn the heater to vacation or off, attach a hose to the drain valve, run it to a drain until the water runs clear, then refill before turning it back on.

Place a bucket under the discharge pipe and lift the lever briefly; scalding water should flow and stop when released. If it drips afterward or does not open, call a plumber.

Clear 2 feet around the outdoor unit first. Ask for the refrigerant pressures and the capacitor readings in writing.

Check the FEMA flood map for your address, clear yard drains and downspout extensions, and test the sump pump if you have one.

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Run each zone, watch for geysers and dry spots, and aim heads away from walls.

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

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Plug in a lamp, press TEST (the lamp should go off), then RESET. If it does not trip, have an electrician replace it.

Walk the whole perimeter. Note anything lifted, missing or rusted and photograph it. Stay off the roof.

Replace bark mulch next to the house with gravel, move firewood 30 feet away, clear needles from the roof, gutters and under the deck.

Two metal straps (upper and lower third) into studs; anchor bookcases and dressers.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.

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

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

Stop the fan and flip the direction switch on the motor housing; you should feel a breeze standing under it.

Push on every railing post, look underneath where the deck meets the house, and tighten or replace fasteners.

Look for low spots after a rain; build soil up so it falls about 6 inches over the first 10 feet where you can.

Fit blinds or exterior shades on west windows, know where the nearest cooling center is, and keep the AC service current.

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

Pull the washer out and check both hoses near the fittings. Replace bulging or cracked rubber hoses with braided ones.

Clear gutters and valleys; check that downspouts discharge away from the foundation.

From the ground, look for slipped or cracked tiles and lifted flashing; clear scuppers on flat roofs.

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Turn off power at the outdoor disconnect, clear 2 feet around it, and gently hose the fins from inside out if the maker allows.

Check your system’s filter slot and the highest MERV rating it can take without restricting airflow.

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

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.

Check the model’s filter part number in the manual or on the filter itself.

Pour a cup of distilled vinegar in the cleanout tee and confirm water drains outside.

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

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

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

Unscrew aerators, or tie a bag of vinegar around the showerhead overnight, then rinse.

Sprinkle water on the boards; if it soaks in quickly, clean and apply a penetrating sealer.

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

Lay a 2x4 flat under the door and close it. It should reverse on touching the board. Also wave something through the photo-eye beam while it closes.

Pop the metal filter out and soak it in hot water with dish soap and baking soda, or run it through the dishwasher if the maker allows.

Cut out cracked or moldy caulk, clean and dry the joint, and apply a bead of kitchen-and-bath silicone.

Turn off power at the outdoor disconnect, clear 2 feet around it, and gently hose the fins from inside out if the maker allows.

Mark the ends of cracks with a pencil and date; seal small ones with an elastomeric patch.

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

Turn the system off, slide the filter out, and match the size printed on its edge. Arrow on the frame points toward the blower.

Plug in a lamp, press TEST (the lamp should go off), then RESET. If it does not trip, have an electrician replace it.

Walk the whole perimeter. Note anything lifted, missing or rusted and photograph it. Stay off the roof.

Look from the ground and in the attic. Photograph anything lifted and get it fixed before winter rains.

Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap and scrub gently with a soft brush.