Last Days Of My Giveaway!!!

http://patriotsagainstthenwo.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-giveaway.html

Check out my Giveaway!!! only a few days left to enter!!!!

Some Very Good Info From A Great Blog!!!

This is the link to a very good Blog:

http://chicky-bit-run.blogspot.com/

And her post today is a re-post with some great info. Start clipping the coupons now and getting in on all the coming deals. And look for in store coupons and deals to use with the coupons from the news paper. Me and the wife have found crossed deals that make a $2.00 item cost as low as .25 cents or even free at times. Every year around the holidays the companies that sell baking, cooking and other items for the holidays will flood the news papers and the stores with coupons. With a little work and research you can find great deals with ads, coupons and in-store sales to help you with your prepping and food storage. And at the same time get the needed items for your holiday meals.
Please go check out Chicky-Bit-Run Blog it's a great blog with lots of good info and just good old home style wholesome preparedness ideas.
This is the link to the posting at her blog: http://chicky-bit-run.blogspot.com/2011/09/worth-repost-buy-your-commodities-now.html

Prepping With #10 Cans

A few mouths ago I was asked to go to the LDS Family Home Storage Center (Cannery) by a friend from work. I went and got a good jump on my prepping and a few extra months of food and a little more peace of mind. They have it set up to where you can do your own canning or buy prepackaged items and that is the way I went, I help my friend can her stuff and I got prepackaged items and it was great. I was told by the person at the center you don't need to be a member of the LDS church to buy items at the center. So I would look one up and check it out. The food items are great and they help you get what you need and show you how the cannery works. I got 54 #10 cans and spent just over $200.00 and feel like I got one hell of a deal. I plan to return in a month or so and will buy two times as much this next time. If you have one near you please check it out, it is well worth it. I'm not a member of LDS Church and never will be but they are good people who know the need for prepping and being ready for the coming collapse. Here is a link to the price list and items they have: http://www.providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/123115_HSC_OrderForm_US_ENG_28_APR_2011_pdf.pdf

With the way the world is going we will see the cost of food go though the roof and when others can't feed themselves and are fighting in the streets over scraps given by the government will you have food? Or will you have to fight for your next meal? Make a stand and have the needed food for you and your family! Prep now so you can survive later!

When Will We Make A Stand?

When will we stand up to the hoax that vaccines are mandatory to attend school, despite the long-standing existence of a waiver policy? And why have we let The NFL start a plan where they want all fans patted down from the ankles up this season to improve fan safety. Under the new “enhanced” pat-down procedures, the NFL wants all 32 clubs to search fans from the ankles to the knees as well as the waist up. Previously, security guards only patted down fans from the waist up while looking for booze, weapons or other banned items. Why would we ask for this? And when will we stand up to the miss treatment of protesters and false arrest and unfair treatment. When will this country make a stand and say,"I have had enough!" and make this fake government do a turn around and once again be for the people and by the people, not in the take what you can and give nothing back mode. I'm sick of this group of fools in office just pushing out new laws and rules that they think is better for us and it's because they know what is better for us then we ever will know. Like making our kids take vaccines even with out our OK or the TSA and there “enhanced” pat-down procedures at the air-ports where it's OK the feel up kids and anyone they think needs it. This is bull shit and I have had it and will take no more bull shit the next government ass monkey that gets in my face is not going to have a good day from that point! This is it I am done with the bull shit and I am not playing there little game anymore. So let this be a warning I have stood up!!!! And I am in ASS KICKING MODE FROM THIS POINT ON!!!!!!
Be an American, AND STAND UP !!!!!!!!!!!

3 Excuses People Use To Get Out Of Prepping

I found this at a great Blog: http://offgridsurvival.com/preppingobstacles/
Go check it out there is lots and lots of great info there......

People often put of preparedness until it’s way to late. In some cases it’s laziness, in others it’s because of family, friends or even the media who have made them feel foolish for wanting to be prepared.
Over the years I’ve heard thousands of different excuses as to why people aren’t prepping, but when a disaster hits what are those excuses worth? Will they feed your family?
Here are the top 3 prepping myths or obstacles that we come across when talking to our new readers.

My family & friends think I’m crazy and say prepping is stupid.

Stop listening to the naysayers! If history teaches us anything it’s that bad things can and will happen. Those that prepare will be far better off than those who don’t. In fact, the people who are downing you and telling you how stupid prepping is will probably be the first ones knocking at your door when the next disaster hits.
And as far as it being a waste of money, nothing could be farther form the truth. Prepping not only makes sense from a preparedness prospective but a financial one as well. With the rising cost of everything from food and gas to clothing and other necessities there has never been a better time to stock up. What you don’t buy for a dollar today will likely be two dollars in the very near future.
If you buy the things that you would normally use in bulk (when there on sale) you’ll not only be prepared for the future but you’ll be making a smart financial move that will save you money in the process.

The government has plans in place to deal with a disaster.

Really? Try asking anyone who lived in New Orleans during Katrina how much help the government provided. In my opinion this is the kind of thinking that gets people killed. Even if the government does manage to do things right during the next disaster, which is highly unlikely, you still need to be prepared to survive until rescuers can reach you.
When a disaster hits, even a small scale emergency can quickly spiral out of control. The chances of any government agency making it to your house in under 72 hours is highly unlikely. At the very least you need to be able to survive in your home without power, water or other utilities for at least 72 hours (probably longer).

It’s expensive, I don’t have money to prep.

As we mentioned above, if done right prepping is not only a smart preparedness activity but also an extremely smart financial move. If you buy items that you would normally use or eat when they’re on sale, how is that a waste of money?
And for those that really are having a hard time with money there’s still a number of things you can do to prep:

• Shop smart – You don’t have to become an extreme couponer to be a prepared, but you should watch our for sales and try to stock up when things are cheap. Most people don’t realize how many deals are actually out there. My wife saves thousands of dollars every year by clipping coupons and buying the things when they’re on sale. Yes it does take a little bit of effort, but the effort is well worth the money you’ll save.
• Clearance – I love buying things at the end of the season. I can’t tell you how many preparedness items I’ve found for up to 90% off because I waited a couple of months. From buying summer clothes in the fall to stocking up on candles a week after Christmas there really is no reason to pay full price.
• Thrift Stores & Garage Sales – Both of these can be great places to find preparedness items at a fraction of the cost. Just make sure you inspect the items before purchasing them.
• Barter – Do you have a special skill or talent that might be useful to others? Why not offer your services in exchange for what others may have that you might need?
• Knowledge – Knowledge is power and in a survival situation it’s far more important than any piece of gear or preparedness item. If you can’t stock up on gear the least you can do is stock up on knowledge.

I paid---didn't you?

This was sent to me in an E-Mail, I am posting it because it does touch a nerve in me..

This is another example of what Rick Perry called
"TREASON in high places"!

Get angry and pass this on!


Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.



If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.



If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.



The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had.

Entitlement my behind! I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!

Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement entitlements?

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless

In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile , and Turkey . And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!

They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it’s time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries.

Sad isn't it?

Activist Post Deleted! Google Erases Popular Alternative News Source

by Zen Gardner

At mid-day on Friday, September 23, 2011, the popular alternative news blog, ActivistPost.com, was taken offline. Activist Post receives over one million views per month and has been hosted by Google’s Blogger since its founding in June 2010.

“We remain puzzled as to why Activist Post was erased completely by Google,” said chief editor and co-founder Michael Edwards. “When we tried to load our back-up file into our secondary Blogger account, that was blocked as well,” he added.

It remains unclear whether Google has acted to censor ActivistPost.com for their controversial reporting. Google is becoming somewhat notorious for clamping down on truth and liberty activists, of which Activist Post is known for.

“Clearly, this is a huge set back for us and the work we do,” said co-founder Eric Blair. “Our entire crew is working on resolving the issue and restoring the website. We certainly look forward to an explanation from Google.”

Activist Post will file an appeal with Google to restore the site in full, and asks their loyal supporters to make their voices heard as well. However, they also are seeking other hosting services to avoid these types of censorship issues in the future.

“We want to thank our loyal readers, contributors, and advertisers for being patient while we work this out. We plan to come on even stronger in face of this adversity,” Edwards said.

Until Activist Post is back in action, you can find their work at Before It’s News Here
http://beforeitsnews.com/

Check Out My Giveaway

http://patriotsagainstthenwo.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-giveaway.html

All you have to do is post a comment to be entered!!

Here We Go.......... Hold On!!!

Dow is down at the time of my post(-511.16) and could go down more in the last hour of the market. But my question is how much is it being manipulated by the powers that be? Every time the Dow drops the powers that be prop it back up just like a big tent where the roof keeps falling in and you grab a stick and prop it up, well my friends the powers to be are just about out of sticks and one day down the road in our near future the market will drop and know one will be able to prop it back up. How long do we have before the collapse hits? I think it's hit already and we are just on the slow slide down and soon we will hit the drop off point and that is when the SHTF! That moment in time is when the walking dead pull there heads out of the sand and say, (OMG!!! What's Going On?) But at that point it's to late for them and 95% of the rest of the walking dead. You can lead a jack ass to water but it's up to the jack ass to take a drink. I see all the news and read the blogs(The blogs being the real news) and I see the coming doom and the coming collapse, but the walking dead can't, don't want to and just will not see the coming truth because it will mean an end to their American Dream and the way of life they live! You know the house that they paid $500,000.00 for but now is worth $200,000.00 and the two car payments sitting in the driveway, the 2.4 kids a cat and dog with a little white fence around the front yard and the two trips a year one to the the grandparent's and the other to Disneyland or the beach. These people will not admit a coming collapse because all the good times will come to a halt and may never start again, but instead of getting ready for the coming event of doom they ignore the facts of the coming collapse.
So sit back and do as you do everyday one of two things, 1st do nothing and hope for the best or 2nd prep for the coming collapse and give yourself a shot at survival. I bet most of the people who read my blog fall in the 2nd group but by chance you fall in the 1st group, please statr to prep and get of your butt and pull your head out of the sand and make a plan and start stocking food, water, medical supplies and other needed survival gear. Buy a gun or two and lots of ammo learn to clean it care for it and shoot it. The more people we wake up the more lives we will save!

New Giveaway

I have two water-proof first-aid kits with neck lanyard for easy use.

All you have to do is post a comment to this posting and you are in the drawing.

I will have my wife pick two names and each person will win one.

Cold Weather Will Be Here Soon, Time For Checking Things.....

Winter is on it's way and before it gets here we need to do some checking of a few things.
B.O.B.- we need to break it down and update it with new needed items and pull any old out of date items out and replace them. Now would be a good time to do a inventory of your BOB and keep the list on file.
First Aid Kit
Add to and update your kit and pull and replace out of date items.
Car/Truck Kit
Check and update your auto kit make sure everything works and is in date. Now is the time to add the extra blankets and candles to use in cold weather. Pocket hand warmers are great in this kit. Make sure all needed tools in your auto are in working order and in place.
Preps And Stores
Food stores- check all food for out of date stuff and restock
Camping Gear- Clean and store camping gear, replace any broken items and add any new gear
Gun Cleaning Gear- This time of the year I always check my cleaning supplies and add needed items.
Ammo- Check your stock and start back to buying more over the winter, try to buy a box or two each week and go from one caliber to the next as the weeks go by. Make sure you have lots and lots of cleaning supplies.
Gear
Flashlights- Check them all and make sure you have batteries and bulbs for them all
Tools- Clean and store all summer tools and get all the winter ones ready
Clothes- Get out the winter and wash and start putting away the summer as it gets colder outside.
Shoes- Get the boots and winter shoes out and ready.
Smoke detectors and annual maintenance of fire extinguishers
Home
Check all doors and windows for caulking and use plastic sheeting as needed to winterize your home.
Clean heater filters and test run it before its cold, the last thing you want is for it to drop to the low numbers for the first time and then you find out your heater is not working.

This is a great time of the year and one of the best to get things done, so take some time and start checking things on your list.

Monday 6am The Count Down Starts

You wake up Monday at 6am and for one reason or the other you now have inside information that the collapse is going to hit in four hours. It can be a CME (coronal mass ejection), a nuclear attack, a massive attack from other countries or any other massive event that will end the world as we know it! And this event will hit 90% of the earth over a few hours and will shut us down.
So you have this info and you now have four hours to get ready to survive, what is your first step? What do you do first and who do you tell? And if you do tell someone will they think you are crazy, or will they use the information to get ready.
So lets say for the point of the story you are safe where you are so you do not have to bug out, but you can if you like. And the event will be very long term and last for many months to a few years. In four hours power, water, and many other things will stop or get very hard to find and when you do find them you will have to pay an arm and a leg to get it or fight and kill to get it. No one knows what you know in the area you are in. What do you do next?
So how do you use your four hours?
What do you do first?
What are the items you will get?
Who do you call and tell?
Or do you tell any one?
What do you do next and what would your plans be?

FRIENDS OR ALLIES

FRIENDS OR ALLIES: CHOICE FOR SURVIVAL

In the 1950's, several thousand people had nuclear fallout
shelters built, usually in their back yards. At first they met only
ridicule by those neighbors who considered themselves above such
hysteria.
In time, however, it occurred to those neighbors that
something had changed in their relationship with the shelter
builders. Often, those who had been friends for years came to
despise each other.
It usually started like this: Sam would say to Paul, the
shelter builder, "Paul, I don't believe there's going to be a war.
But if it happens, I'll know where to come."
Paul would say, "But Sam, it's not a matter of belief. If it
happens, it'll happen, and if it doesn't happen, it won't. Neither
of us believes our homes will burn down some night. But we both
have fire insurance. So my shelter is simply my nuclear war
insurance."
"What if you had fire insurance and I didn't? If my house
burned down, without insurance, I could never rebuild. Would you
allow me to move my family in with you on a permanent basis?"
Sam might say, "But that's a poor analogy. I'd be glad to put
you up for a few weeks and even help you to rebuild."
"But," Paul would reply, "We both make about the same wages.
What if I bought a boat instead of fire insurance, thinking, "What
the hell, I'd rather play with a boat than sit around home worrying
about an unlikely fire. Besides, good old Sam will bail us out.
He's our ace in the hole."
"Would you want to be our ace in the hole if we left our
welfare up to you while we ran around in a damn boat while you sat
home worrying about a fire?"
"Harping on the boat again," says Sam. "I said you could use
it."
"Forget the boat," says Paul. "The point is, that you
considered the boat more important than nuclear war insurance. You
have all kinds of insurance but you don't seem to know what
insurance is. It's not negotiable. You have hospital insurance and
I don't and I get sick; tough on me. You buy fire insurance and I
don't and my house burns down; your insurance company wouldn't
rebuild my house."
"Like your life insurance, my shelter is nuclear war insurance
which covers only my family. If you want that kind of insurance,
buy it. Don't expect to use mine."
By now, Sam is seeing that friendship has its limits and he
resents it. "Okay," he says, "Just suppose your war should break
out. So I haven't prepared. But we've been friends for years and I
never put you off when you needed help. And you've always been on
hand to help us. But now, when it's a matter of life and death, our
friendship isn't worth a bo-diddly? Is that what you're telling me?"
"It's not a matter of friendship," says Paul. "My shelter was
built for my family of five. It's for two weeks; maybe four if we
absolutely had to stay longer. You crowd your family of five in
there and we'd all be dead in a week."
"Maybe so," says Sam, "but the point is, you would just keep
us out, knowing we would all be sprawled around the door, dead as
mackerels. (He breaks into sobs.) And my littlest, Jenny, she's
only five, you know. Before I'd let you close her out, I'd come
with a gun."
Such arguments would go on to the point where the neighbors
were no longer friends. I never heard of a case where, rather than
break up as friends, the other neighbor built a shelter.
Telling the improvident their time is running out seldom
motivates them to prepare. The improvident are the improvident.
That's their nature. They know their basic helplessness, but will
seldom admit it. They are more likely to react with hostility to
survival advice than to begin their own preparations.
The difference between one who prepares and one who doesn't is
more important than a difference of opinion. If you prepare to
survive, you deserve to survive. Those who can, but won't prepare,
don't deserve to survive and the species would be better off
without them. If you have the kind of intellect that's geared to
survival, it may be a matter of genetics. Your neighbor may lack
these survival genes. Therefore, becoming his means of survival
could not only doom both of your families to death, but if you
should make it, you would have enabled a non-survival type to
further pollute the gene pool. That's a no-no, although you might
take in one of his brighter children if you really have enough
room. If you are really in a position to save someone, you ought to
be selective. But don't be too callous. Without basic human
compassion, you might not be worthy to survive, yourself. Aside
from making you seem callous towards others, your preparations put
you out the Good-time-Charley field and you are seen as a part of
the establishment. You are then no longer a buddy, but someone to
use when things get rough. It's hard to explain but it's sort of
like when you go into business for yourself; your wage-earning
friends tend to drop away. You have a kind of security they can't
aspire to. So they either drop away as friends or become actually
hostile.
So you see, friendship ends when you establish a permanency
and security your friends can't aspire to. Maybe they don't care to
put out the extra effort or money. Maybe they're just lazy or
stupid. It doesn't matter why they drop away. Just recognize the
fact that Survivalists are likely to see their friends drift away.
So don't expect to impress a friend with your preparations.
It's far better to get him sold on the idea of making his own
preparations.
It's verly likely you can't get your friend to exert himself
to make any survival preparations. Serious preparation would upset
his whole lifestyle.
Most neighbors would rather rationalize away the danger than
do something about it. Say you bought a house on an earthquake
fault. So a guy comes and tells you you'd better move or get shook
to pieces.
So there you are, with everything you have threatened with
destruction. A survivalist would move, taking his losses in money,
energy, and time.
But the average person would rationalize away the danger and
never bring up the subject again. If he was smarter than average he
would try to unload the property on some sucker, of course, never
mentioning the fault.
So if you broach the subject of survival to a friend and he
gives you the horse-laugh, just think of him as one who knows his
house is built on an earthquake fault. He'll give you nothing but
rationalizations as to why nothing will happen. Best just to ease
away from him and tell him nothing further of your plans.
Since survival is the most important subject today, and only a
few recognize it, you can't waste time with friends who have little
potential as allies. The time is coming closer when if a neighbor
isn't an ally, he's highly likely to become an enemy.
Only those who are working on their own survival programs are
fit to associate with at this point. I'm not suggesting you snub
your friends or give up on non-survivors altogether. This would be
rude and stupid. Besides, an intelligent friend might finally come
around to your way of thinking as things get worse.
So just be businesslike when talking survival. It's very
serious, so the drinking buddy would be more likely to be offended
than interested.
In survival programs, an ally is worth any number of friends.
In the coming months, you will learn to sort out your allies, who
are aware of the coming crash, from your friends, who think you're
a nut if you worry about anything but where your next baseball
ticket is coming from.
As you come in contact with more Survivalists, you will be
bored with your old buddies, anyway. And they will be bored with
you, too. So don't feel panicky at the thought of your old cronies
drinking without you.
Of course, your first choice of allies should be among your
friends, especially neighbors. If you and your neighbor both had a
roomy, livable shelter, you could link them up with a tunnel.
Such a setup would enable you to share the burden of buying
supplies. Tools, books, and the various items of hardware could be
shared, rather than having to buy two complete sets for two families.
Linked shelters would also permit visiting for moral support
and economy. They would also be handy to resist assault. If one's
shelter were under assault by the mob, the other could go through
the tunnel and help fight them off. When the mob finally gave up
and went off to die of radiation sickness, life in the shelters
could become downright social.
In this way you can see how a neighbor who is an ally can be
of great benefit. But a neighbor who depends on you to save his
bacon is not only not an ally but he could become your worst enemy.
One way to help a neighbor to become an ally is to introduce
him to other Survivalists. Then he will feel that you're letting
him in on something. Also, if you have three or four guys in your
home talking survival, your neighbor will feel he's the isolated
minority in his stand that this is the best of all possible worlds.
Even if your area is an unlikely target for a nuclear bomb and
underground shelters are not in your plans, the ally principle is
still very important. You just can't waste time with a friend who
is of no use in your survival plans.
An ally can be a person you don't even like socially. But if
your ally shares your enthusiasm for survival, he will be far more
useful to you than a friend who agrees with you on everything but
survival.
by Kurt Saxon (c) 1977

Where Are The Patriot's

Where are all the Patriot's and the strong Americans? Why are we just sitting on our butt's doing zero to fight the NWO and the fools that run this country? Everyday I see more and more BS that just shows we live in a Police State and are just about 95% under the control of the world elite. When will the walking dead wake up? When will the true Patriot's make a stand for freedom????
I will tell you where everyone is........................... The walking dead will never wake up, not until the collapse hits them right in the ass and the few that do wake up before will just be to damn weak to make it or lack the needed skills to survive without some help. So the few that come around at the last part of the game will put a strain on the survivalist and the prepared people. So what do you do? Help them or not? I have a plan to survive and to go on with my life and do so with my family at the same time I will help you if you are trying to help yourself. But I will never put me or my family in any danger to help you. You will never know where I live, where my food or water is, where I hunt or fish, where I get my fire wood, or any other info that could cost me something I need. Survival is a hard thing to do anytime but it will be 100 times harder after the collapse. Life will be upside down for everyone and simple things like water, food and medical supplies will be things that people will kill over. Prep now so you can survive later! My friends your time is very short and there is so much work that needs to be done! If you are a Patriot make a stand and get yourself ready and if you are already getting ready then kick it into high gear! Jump start your prepping!!! Do what you must do to get ready for the coming collapse.

9/11 ?

I still have so many questions! And know I will never get any of the true answers!

Summer Is All Most Over, Here Comes Autumn

The first day of Autumn is September 23rd and here in my part of California it's still 100* I'm ready for some cool down.

FALL INSPECTION CHECKLIST

EXTERIOR

Check for cracks in asphalt or concrete on driveway, sidewalks, and paths. These can be a tripping

hazard, and can invite water that will do more damage during the colder months.

Make sure retaining walls have no bulges or loose areas. One heavy rain or snowfall, and you could have

a mud slide on your hands. Make sure the weep holes built into the wall are clear.

Examine porches and decks for sagging ceilings, loose rails or boards, and damaged steps. Check to

make sure the posts are still firmly in the ground and not loose, or worse yet, rotted completely out of the

footing.

Give fences and stone walls-and their gates-a once-over for leaning and loose parts, which could fall or

blow off during a storm.

Look for stains on the siding, which could be a sign of a water problem or a roof issue

Look for signs of insect or bird nests in soffits, eaves, or attic vents. If you see signs of animal waste in a

certain area, look around for the possible nest or culprit.

Take note of where paint is peeling, brick mortar is missing, or stucco is cracking on the house's siding.

Look for leaning on the chimney. Check that the flashing is in good condition, and not peeling up or

missing.

Check gutters and downspouts for debris or improper pitch, especially during a rain storm. Look for

stains on the soffit, which could be a sign of a leak.

Examine the foundation for cracks and bulges.

Take a look at the sill, checking for rot and insects. Look for raised mud channels, which indicates the

presence of termites. Use a sharp knife or other probe to see how much the wood gives.

Make sure the grade of the ground around the foundation slopes away from the house.

Look at the roofing. Are there cracks, missing shingles, crumbling pieces? Check asphalt for dry,

blistering, alligatoring, or curling shingles; wood for rot and splits; slate and tile for broken pieces; and flat

roofs for holes. Be especially vigilant under trees, where falling branches or jumping animals could have

done damage. Once the leaves have fallen, look more closely at where branches touch the house.

Examine the flashing and vent/chimney caps for missing or damaged parts. Look for rust.

 

Look for moss and other debris on the roof.

PLUMBING, including BATHROOMS and LAUNDRY

Look for signs of leaks in all exposed pipes, and in areas where pipes run through the walls or

foundation.

Look for signs of corrosion, which could indicate a problem with the water, or with the pipe itself. Watch

for green stains around brass and copper fittings and on shutoff valves, a sign of either corrosion or

electrolysis caused by mismatched metals. This will cause leaks and bad connections if left uncorrected.

Check the water pressure. Low pressure could mean a problem with the line or just sediment buildup in

the faucet aerator or shower head.

Check drains for speed of drainage - a slow drain may have a clog or a blocked vent pipe. Look for a full

swirling drain; bubbling drains are a sign of a problem.

Flush the toilets to make sure they operate properly. Open their tanks and look for worn or missing

parts. Then wait around for a few minutes to see if the toilet runs after a pause, a sign of a slow leak.

Look inside the burner chamber of the water heater for rust flakes. Check the flame; it should be an even

blue, with no yellow. A yellow flame indicates soot or a problem with the gas-air mixture, meaning the jets

need cleaning.

Drain the water heater to remove sediment that has settled to the bottom. Sometimes leaks in faucets

are caused by hard water wearing out the washers.

Watch out for cracked tiles in the shower area or around sinks. Tap on tiles looking for loose or hollow

ones, which could be masking rotted backerboard behind them.

Check on the state of the tub and shower caulking to see if its time to replace it.

Look for evidence of mildew where water has a chance to stand for longer periods

Manipulate the toilet base to be sure it doesn't rock, which might mean a leak has damaged the floor

around it.

Look for cracks on the toilet tank or bowl or on sinks

 

Slide shower doors do check for sticking, rust, or obstructions. Examine the gaskets around the door

glass for gaps and tears.

Turn on the shower and bath faucets and check for leaks around handles and valves. Are they easy to

use, or harder to turn on and off? Check set screws around escutcheon plates.

Unscrew the shower head and look for collected sediment in it that could be lowering the water pressure.

Examine vent fans for obstructions or dust. Turn them on: If it sounds really loud, the bearings may be

worn out or a flapper may have gotten stuck.

Check washer hoses for signs of aging (cracks or brittleness) or leaks.

Check dryer vents for tears. Vacuum or brush out lint in hose and around lint screen inside unit. Look

for link around the floor or on the wall, indicating a clog in the vent hose.

WATER and SEPTIC

Send out a sample of well water to your country cooperative extension to test it for chemicals and

bacteria.

Make sure that the well cover is tightly sealed but there is still access to the pump.

Check the sump pump by pouring water on it, to see if it turns on automatically.

Look around your septic tank/field for soggy ground or overly lush vegetation, which could mean the

tank is full or failing.

HEATING

Take a flashlight into the furnace flue and look for a buildup of soot or rust. Tap on it to see what falls;

rust is a sign of condensation, which is cause by an inefficient furnace. Have a pro service the system

regardless of what you find.

Make a solution of dishwashing soap and water, then brush it on ductwork joints-wherever there are

leaks you’ll see bubbles in the soap.

Check registers and vents for loose or missing covers and screws.

Check around radiators for leaks, or damaged floors, which could be a sign of a leak or an incorrect pitch

toward the return.

Look for overall deterioration, rust, loose parts, and other signs of a failing system.

ELECTRICAL

Check trees around the house to be sure they're not threatening wires.

 

Open the panel and look for new scorch marks around breakers or fuses. Also check outlets for scorch

marks, which could be a sign of loose and sparking wires.

Look for loose outlet covers, receptacles, and loose boxes, which may have to be refastened to the studs

while the power is turned off.

Test all GFCI outlets by plugging in a lamp and then hitting the test and reset buttons to see if it turns the

light off and then on again.

Go around with a electrical tester (or lamp) to make sure all outlets work

INTERIOR

Now that summer's humidity is gone, check doors for swollen spots and sticking.

Look for loose hinges and doorknobs.

Check the floor for popped nails, loose boards, loose tiles, and springy spots that could be a sign of joist

trouble.

Look at ceilings for stains, which could indicate a roof or plumbing leak.

Make sure ceilings and floors aren't sagging or cracked in new places, which might mean a bigger

problem causing a shift in the house. Look above doors for cracks.

Check walls for popped screws and nails on drywall or new cracks in plaster.

Point a flashlight into the fireplace and up the chimney, checking for loose bricks, cracks, signs of

animal nests, or excess soot that could spark a chimney fire.

Make sure the damper operates properly.

 

Check around ceiling fans to be sure they're well secured to the ceiling and not working their way loose

with all the summer use.

Jiggle the stair balustrade to test its sturdiness, and take note where balusters and banisters have come

loose.

Test all smoke and CO2 detectors and replace batteries immediately if something doesn't work.

DOORS AND WINDOWS

Examine weatherstripping around exterior doors and windows for tears and wear.

Look for cracks in window glass and glazing around panes.

 

Check the action of the windows for sticking points.

Look for peeling paint and other signs of wear on window frames and stools, usually in the bottom

corners. Check that weep holes in the sill outside haven't been caulked over, inhibiting drainage.

Take a look at thresholds for cracks that could let water reach the sill.

ATTIC

Look around the attic space during daylight hours, with the lights turned off. Look for holes in the

roofing that let light in.

Keep an eye out for signs of animal activity or entry points for animals.

Check around vents for gaps. Look at fan motors for frayed wiring or loose screws.

 

Feel around insulation for damp spots where leaks might be occurring. Look for missing or torn

insulation, which could be a sign of animal activity.

Examine joists and rafters for structural damage.

GARAGE

Check the action of the garage door and look for dents in the tracks or cracks in the door.

Make sure tool storage and hanging rakes and shovels don't create a falling or tripping hazard.

KITCHEN

Test the drainage of the sink and look for signs of leaks on the faucet.

 

Look at all the cabinet doors and drawers to make sure they open and close properly. Check for loose

hinges or sticking drawer slides.

Turn on the disposer and listen for signs of obstructions or problems with the motor.

 

Try all the stove burners to be sure they turn on quickly and properly, without sparking or bursts of

flame. Make sure gas stoves give off an even blue flame.

Check the oven door gasket for signs of wear and tear.

 

Turn on a gas broiler to make sure it lights properly.

Make sure the gas shutoff valve is working. It should be able to turn until its completely perpendicular to

the pipe.

Open the dishwasher and spin and lift the washer arm by hand to make sure it isn't stuck. Check that

nothing has dislodged the drain hose; it should arc up to prevent backwash from the drain into the

dishwasher.

Look for signs of leaking under and around the dishwasher.

Make sure water filters have been changed recently.