Check your crawlspace

Claustrophobic? Then you may not like this... You're about to find out why the area under your home is called a crawl space. It's important to regularly inspect this area, but it can keep some dirty little secrets. Look for pooling water or wet spots. Both can create foundation problems, and moisture in the crawl space can promote mold growth. Also look for live animals or signs of their presence. Word to the wise: tuck your pants into your boots to keep any insects or animals from crawling up your leg.

--Kudzu

Check your toilet's hoses and supply valves for leaks

SPOILER ALERT: The water in your toilet tank does NOT get there through osmosis, magic or miracles. It's actually delivered by a simple but important supply hose that's typically located at the back of the commode. Unfortunately this hose and the supply valve that connects it to your home's plumbing can deteriorate and begin to leak. Next time you're in your bathroom, take a second to look behind your toilet to ensure you don't have a leak. If you have one, contact a plumber who can inspect the problem and make repairs.

--Kudzu

What is a TPR valve?

A TPR (temperature pressure relief) valve is an important safety feature located on your water heater to prevent too much pressure from building up inside your tank and potentially exploding. Yes, this could happen, so be sure you have one in place along with a discharge pipe connected to it with an open end (codes usually state that the open end should be within 6" off the ground, to prevent discharge from spraying directly on someone).

Replace your air filter in your heating system

Filter, shmilter. Why do we have to change those pesky things so regularly? Well, the filter in your HVAC system has two main functions-first, it improves your home's indoor air quality. (By the way, the EPA estimates that the air inside your home can be 2 to 5 times WORSE than the air outside!) And second, it can keep your entire HVAC system clean. Dirt can clog your furnace's secondary heat exchanger or your a/c unit's evaporator coil. Either way, air flow gets restricted, and can cause overheating and premature failure of parts and even the entire system.

--Kudzu

Check your condensate lines

Be sure to check your condensate lines at your FAU occasionally for signs of damage or disconnections. This condensate line was broken off, probably because it is in the way of the filter access and someone tried to pull the filter out, thus hitting the line and breaking it. The problem is that the line was not repaired and had been leaking for some time, causing moisture damage below.

--James Stringer

Check bathroom for leaks

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the average home loses 10,000 gallons of water a YEAR to leaks. That's enough to fill a swimming pool! Bathrooms are common spots for water leaks, so check bathtubs, sinks and toilets to ensure they're not dripping and that pipes aren't leaking. Repairing leaks can also help you save as much as 10 percent on your utility bill.

--Kudzu

Clear unwanted brush around your home

Raise your hand if you think unkempt yards are attractive. We don't like them either. Not only are they unsightly, but dense brush can be a fire hazard and can attract destructive "creatures" of all kinds. The unmaintained plant growth can also choke out the "good stuff"-your grass and desirable plants. To help keep your yard healthy, take an hour or two this weekend and clear out the brush you've allowed to grow unchecked during the last year. Then decide what you're going to do with that now-bare flat space in your yard. New patio or stone wall, perhaps?

--Kudzu