Smile HomeFix

Table of Contents Can you leave a space heater on overnight in a bedroom? How to audit a bedroom heater setup before using it Why the outlet and cord matter as much as the heater Which safety features should you look for? Ceramic heater or oil-filled radiator: does either make overnight use safe? What can you use instead while sleeping? Common mistakes that make a bedroom setup riskier A practical bedroom heater checklist Frequently Asked Questions Key points to remember Key Takeaways No—do not leave a portable space heater running while you sleep or when it is unattended. Keep a heater at least 3 feet from bedding, curtains, furniture, clothing, and other items that can burn. Plug an electric heater directly into a wall outlet, place it on a solid, flat, nonflammable surface, and keep its cord uncovered. Tip-over and overheat shutoffs are useful safeguards, but they do not make overnight operation safe. Can you leave a space heater on overnight in a bedroom? No. The U...

Key Takeaways Shut off the irrigation water supply and turn off the controller before freezing weather arrives. Drain water from the pipes and above-ground components using the method your system supports. Protect an above-ground backflow assembly carefully; its valves and test cocks may need to remain partly open while it drains. Use compressed air only when you know the system’s requirements; never blow out a zone a second time after it is dry. Table of Contents When should you winterize an in-ground sprinkler system? What to do before draining the sprinkler lines How to drain a system with manual or automatic drains When is compressed-air blowout appropriate? How to protect the backflow preventer from freezing Which winterizing method fits your situation? Common winterizing mistakes to avoid Spring restart: what to check before watering Frequently Asked Questions Key points to remember To winterize an in-ground sprinkler system before a freeze, stop automatic watering...

Key Takeaways Before lighting a fire, make sure the fireplace damper is fully open so smoke can travel up the chimney. Use a flashlight to inspect the damper plate, then check the control and look for a draft as supporting clues. Damper controls differ by fireplace; do not assume a handle, lever, or chain works the same way in every home. If you cannot confirm that the damper is open, wait to light the fire until you can verify its position. Table of Contents Why does the fireplace damper need to be open before a fire? How to check if a fireplace damper is open by looking inside What do the damper handle, lever, or chain tell you? Can a draft tell you whether the damper is open? What if you cannot see the damper or identify its control? Common mistakes when checking a fireplace damper Frequently Asked Questions Quick checklist before lighting A fireplace damper is a movable plate or door that opens or closes the passage between the firebox and chimney. To check whether it...

Last updated: 2026-09-26 · Checked against 8 sources Key Takeaways Table of Contents What should you check when you first move into a home? What home maintenance should be done every month? What should be checked every three months? Which home maintenance tasks should be done annually? How can you check your home for hidden water leaks? What should you do immediately after finding water damage? How often should you inspect the roof, gutters, and downspouts? Should first-time homeowners test for radon? What should you check on a water heater? What should you know about lead paint in a pre-1978 home? What maintenance should you do after severe weather? A simple first-time homeowner maintenance schedule Common home maintenance mistakes first-time owners should avoid Frequently Asked Questions Home maintenance checklist: the essentials to remember A practical home maintenance checklist for first-time homeowners should use different schedules for different systems rat...

Last updated: 2026-09-26 · Checked against 8 sources Key Takeaways Table of Contents What Should You Check First on Gutters and Downspouts? How Do You Test a Gutter for a Clog? Why Is Water Sitting in the Gutter After It Is Clean? How Far Should a Downspout Drain From the House? Why Does Ground Slope Matter After the Downspout? Why Does a Gutter Overflow Even When It Looks Clean? How Do You Check a Buried Downspout Drain? Can You Redirect a Downspout Into the Yard? When Should You Inspect From the Ground Instead of Using a Ladder? A Step-by-Step Gutter and Downspout Drainage Checklist Common Gutter Drainage Mistakes to Avoid Frequently Asked Questions Key Summary To check gutters and downspouts for drainage problems, follow the entire water path from the roof edge through the gutter and downspout to the final discharge area. DOE/PNNL guidance recommends that surface downspout discharge carry water at least 5 ft away from the foundation; an underground catchment sys...