Icicles on the side of your home may look pretty, but they really can cause significant water damage when things begin to thaw out. The main culprits of what are commonly referred to as “ice dams” on the edges of your house are clogged gutters. Fall is the perfect time to remove all of the leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts. This ensures that water can freely flow rather than being trapped and freezing up during the winter months. This one thing can help save thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Take the time to go around your house and unscrew lightbulbs to give them a good dusting. Dust that builds up on top of lightbulbs can be a safety hazard if sparks fly, but more commonly the dust covering limits the amount of light the bulb emits. The EPA estimates a coating of dust on a lightbulb can reduce light output by as much as 50%. For maximum light output and safety, make it part of your regular household cleaning routine to give all of your lightbulbs a thorough dusting!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

How do you know if it's time to water the lawn? A simple trick will tell you: According to the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program, if you step on your lawn and the grass bounces back, there's no need to water. If you step on the grass and it stays flat on the ground, give it a good water early in the morning or late at night so the sun's hot rays don't evaporate the cool drink your lawn needs.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION