Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall is your last chance to prepare your home for winter before temperatures drop. Use this checklist to winterize your home, prevent freeze damage, and reduce heating costs.
HVAC (1 tasks)
- Schedule HVAC professional tune-up — Have a licensed HVAC technician inspect and service your system before peak heating and cooling seasons. Includes checking refrigerant, cleaning coils, and verifying safety controls.
Plumbing (3 tasks)
- Test toilets for leaks — Add food coloring to the toilet tank. Wait 30 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the flapper needs replacement.
- Test sump pump — Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to verify the pump activates, drains properly, and the float switch moves freely.
- Shut off exterior hose bibs — Disconnect garden hoses, shut off interior shut-off valves for exterior spigots, and drain any remaining water from the pipes.
Exterior (4 tasks)
- Clean gutters and downspouts — Remove leaves, twigs, and debris from gutters and downspouts. Flush with a garden hose to verify proper drainage away from the foundation.
- Inspect roof for damage — Visually inspect shingles for cracks, curling, or missing pieces. Check flashing around chimneys and vents. Look for moss or algae growth.
- Inspect for pest entry points — Walk the perimeter sealing cracks, gaps around pipes, and openings in siding. Check for rodent droppings, chewed wires, or insect activity near the foundation.
- Sharpen and oil garden tools — Clean dirt and rust from pruning shears, shovels, and hoes. Sharpen blades with a file or sharpening stone. Apply light oil to prevent rust.
Interior (3 tasks)
- Inspect attic for issues — Check attic for signs of roof leaks, pest infestation, inadequate insulation, and proper ventilation. Look for wet insulation, drooping rafters, or animal droppings.
- Clean refrigerator condenser coils — Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum dust from the condenser coils at the back or bottom. Use a coil brush for stubborn buildup.
- Change ceiling fan direction — In spring/summer, set fan to counterclockwise (downward airflow for cooling). In fall/winter, set to clockwise (upward airflow to circulate warm air).
Winter Preparation Checklist
Service furnace, replace filter, test carbon monoxide detectors, inspect chimney if applicable. Consider a programmable thermostat for energy savings.
Insulate exposed pipes in crawlspaces and attics. Disconnect garden hoses. Know where your main water shutoff valve is located for emergencies.
Add weatherstripping to doors and windows. Seal gaps around pipes and vents. Install door sweeps. These tasks pay for themselves in heating savings within one winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I winterize my home?
Mid-September to mid-November, depending on your climate. Northern regions should start earlier. Complete all outdoor tasks before the first freeze.
How do I prevent ice dams?
Clean gutters thoroughly in fall, ensure attic insulation is adequate (R-49 recommended), and improve attic ventilation. Ice dams form when heat escapes through the roof and melts snow.