Fall is the best time of year for home maintenance. The weather is still mild enough to work outside, contractors are less busy than in spring, and the jobs you do now prevent the expensive problems winter loves to cause: frozen pipes, ice dams, drafty rooms and furnaces that quit on the coldest night.
Use this checklist as a starting point. Every home and climate is different, so skip what doesn’t apply and add what does.
Outside the House
1. Clean the gutters and downspouts
Clogged gutters overflow, soak foundations and help cause ice dams in cold climates. Clean them after most leaves have fallen, and flush downspouts with a hose to make sure water runs freely. Make sure downspouts discharge several feet away from the foundation; extensions or splash blocks help.
If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, or your home is more than one story, hire a pro. Ladder falls are a common source of serious injuries.
2. Inspect the roof from the ground
Use binoculars to look for missing, cracked or curling shingles, damaged flashing around chimneys and vents, and sagging areas. Call a roofer for repairs rather than walking on a steep roof yourself.
3. Check the chimney
If you burn wood, have the chimney inspected and cleaned as needed. A chimney cap keeps out animals and debris.
4. Seal gaps in the exterior
Walk around the house and look for gaps around windows, doors, utility penetrations and siding joints. Seal small gaps with exterior-grade caulk. Gaps are an entry point for drafts, water and pests.
5. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets
Disconnect hoses, then turn off the indoor shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet if you have one, and open the outdoor faucet to drain it. Frost-free sillcocks still need hoses removed to work properly. Insulated faucet covers add protection.
6. Winterize irrigation systems
In freezing climates, sprinkler lines usually need to be blown out with compressed air. Many homeowners hire this out because it requires the right equipment and pressure settings.
7. Clean and store outdoor gear
Drain fuel from small engines or add fuel stabilizer according to the manufacturer’s guidance. Clean and cover patio furniture and grills.
8. Trim trees and shrubs
Branches that touch the roof or hang over the house can cause damage in winter storms. Leave large or high branches, and anything near power lines, to professionals.
9. Check walkways, steps and railings
Repair loose railings and trip hazards before snow and ice make them dangerous. Stock up on snow-melt products that are safe for your surfaces and pets.
Heating and Energy
10. Service the heating system
Schedule a furnace or boiler tune-up, or a heat pump check, before the heating season. Replace the furnace filter, and keep a few spare filters on hand. Check your system’s manual for how often to replace them.
11. Test the thermostat
Switch to heat and confirm the system responds. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, set a schedule that lowers the temperature when you’re asleep or away.
12. Bleed radiators
If you have hot-water radiators, bleed trapped air with a radiator key until water appears. This helps them heat evenly.
13. Reverse ceiling fans
Many fans have a direction switch. Running them clockwise at a low speed in winter can push warm air down from the ceiling.
14. Seal drafts around windows and doors
Replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps. On a windy day, a lit incense stick held near frames can reveal drafts. Window insulation film kits are an inexpensive option for older windows.
Plumbing
15. Insulate exposed pipes
Pipes in unheated garages, crawl spaces and exterior walls are vulnerable to freezing. Foam pipe insulation is cheap and easy to install. For pipes at higher risk, heat cable products rated for the purpose are an option; follow installation instructions carefully.
16. Know your main water shutoff
Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is and that it turns. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water quickly limits damage.
17. Flush the water heater
Sediment builds up in tank water heaters. Many manufacturers recommend periodic flushing; check your model’s manual and follow its procedure.
Safety
18. Test smoke and CO alarms
Test every alarm and replace batteries as needed. Alarms have a limited lifespan; check the manufacture date on the back and replace units as the manufacturer recommends. Make sure you have carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas and on each level if you have fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.
19. Check fire extinguishers
Confirm the gauge is in the green and the extinguisher is easy to reach. Make sure household members know how to use it.
20. Prepare an outage kit
Flashlights, batteries, a battery bank for phones, bottled water, and a few days of non-perishable food. If you use a portable generator, never run it indoors or in a garage, and keep it well away from windows and doors.
A Simple Way to Stay on Track
Spread the list over a few weekends:
- Weekend 1: Outdoor faucets, hoses, exterior caulking, walkways.
- Weekend 2: Gutters (after leaf fall), downspouts, roof check.
- Weekend 3: Heating service, filters, thermostat, drafts, pipe insulation.
- Weekend 4: Safety devices, outage kit, yard cleanup.
Keep a home maintenance log with dates, what you did and any parts you bought. It helps with warranties, future repairs and resale.
Bonus Indoor Tasks for a Rainy Weekend
If the weather turns, there’s still useful work to do inside:
- Clean the dryer vent duct, not just the lint screen. Lint buildup in the duct reduces efficiency and is a fire hazard. Kits with flexible brushes are available, or hire a vent cleaning service.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils if your model has accessible coils, following the manual.
- Check the attic for signs of leaks, animal activity and compressed or missing insulation.
- Test the sump pump (if you have one) by slowly pouring water into the pit until the pump kicks on.
- Look under sinks for slow drips and corroded supply lines.
- Check caulk and grout in bathrooms and around the kitchen sink and re-caulk where needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I clean the gutters in fall?
After most of the leaves have fallen from nearby trees. In heavily wooded areas, you might need to clean them more than once.
Do I really need a furnace tune-up every year?
Many manufacturers and HVAC professionals recommend annual maintenance to keep systems efficient and catch problems early. Check your warranty, which may require regular service.
How do I prevent ice dams?
Keep gutters clear, and more importantly, reduce heat escaping into the attic with proper insulation and air sealing, plus good attic ventilation. A roofer or energy auditor can assess your attic.
What temperature should I leave the heat at if I travel?
Many sources suggest keeping the heat at a moderate setting, rather than off, to protect pipes. Shut off the main water supply if you’ll be gone a long time, and ask someone to check on the house.
The Bottom Line
A few weekends of fall maintenance can prevent the most common and most expensive winter problems. Focus first on water (gutters, pipes, outdoor faucets), then heating, then safety, and keep a log so next year’s list is even faster.
Editorial note: Fix It Folio is independent and reader-supported. This guide is based on research into manufacturer documentation, published specifications and widely accepted best practices; we have not been paid to mention any product. If we add affiliate links in the future, they will be clearly disclosed per our Affiliate Disclosure.