Every season of the year, you have important home maintenance tasks. But fall tasks are more critical because it's the time to protect your home from the ravages of winter. "The biggest focus should be on cleaning up and preparing the exterior of your home to handle inclement weather with little to no damage," says Ryan Barone, CEO and co-founder at RentRedi.
Fall leaves are beautiful until they begin falling. Then, you have to deal with them before they cause damage. There's more to maintaining a home during your favorite season than raking leaves and cleaning them out of the gutters, though. That's why we've created this to-do list of fall home maintenance tasks to complete each year, including Pro Tips from the experts.
Fall maintenance checklist
Download a PDF version of the following checklist to print and post in a prominent location.
Inspect the roof
Each season, homeowners should do a cursory inspection of their roofs. Once a year, your roof deserves a professional inspection. "Inspecting a roof for damage can reveal potential issues before they cause long-term problems," says Brian McLaughlin, director of sales for Drexel Metals, manufacturer of metal roofing panels. Inspections are crucial for all roof types, too. "Even though metal roofs tend to be more resilient than other competitive options," he says, 'they are not completely invulnerable to damage."
When inspecting your own roof, keep safety in mind. Do not walk on the roof. You can see what you need to see with your feet firmly on the ground. Outside, look for the following:
Debris that needs to be removed
Granule loss
Curling or missing shingles
Algae or moss growth
From inside the attic, look for:
Moisture on the underside of the roof deck
Any sign of leaking or water damage
Falling ice could damage gutters and shrubbery or even cause injury. Snow guards regulate the rate at which metal roofs shed snow and ice, so installing them can mitigate the risk of property damage and personal injury.
Clean and inspect the chimney
Whether you have a fireplace, wood, or pellet stove to keep you warm during cold weather, you must clean and inspect your chimney before firing it up each year. Or have a professional do it for you. Built-up creosote and small cracks in the flue liner can lead to chimney fires.
You may be tempted to do this task yourself, but cleaning a chimney is a dirty job that requires climbing on the roof, which is unsafe. Also, professional chimney sweeps have the necessary equipment to look for cracks along the entire length of the liner.
A chimney cap blocks animals from entering, which can prevent potential blockages and reduce the risk of chimney fires.
Clean the gutters and downspouts
If any time is more important for gutter cleaning, it's fall. All those leaves blow onto your roof and wash into the gutters. Then, they clog the flow of water, causing it to spill over and behind, causing damage to the fascia and possibly flowing into the roof or walls.
When cleaning the gutters, remember the downspouts. They direct water away from the house's foundation, and when they're clogged, water can compromise the foundation and enter the basement.
While not the most glamorous job, cleaning and repairing gutters to channel water away from your home is the quickest and cheapest way to maintain your home’s exterior paint.
Inspect the siding
Even a tiny hole or crack in your home's siding can allow moisture and pests to enter. If your lawnmower threw a rock through the vinyl siding or your wood siding cracked due to severe temperature fluctuations, replace or repair the siding before winter sets in. You only need to replace the damaged piece, which is an easy task for most types of siding.
You may be considering an exterior paint job but can't finish the whole house before winter. "If you already see signs of peeling paint, touch the area up now with a high-quality paint," says Julie Fisher, product manager at Dutch Boy Paints.
When installing new siding, save at least a half-square from any overage. When you need to repair any damage, you'll have a piece to match.
Weatherproof windows and doors
Drafts from doors and windows adversely affect your power bills in the winter months. So, sealing out air leaks in the fall helps you to have a more energy-efficient home. For instance, "You can tell if the caulk around the windows is deteriorating if it is flaking away, has turned hard or brittle, or has experienced major discoloration due to sun exposure," says Andrew Prchal, President at Gunner.
There are numerous ways to insulate your windows. They include:
Remove window air conditioning units
Apply insulating film
Lock the windows to draw the sashes together
Install weatherstripping
Replace deteriorated caulk
Use insulated window treatments
Download your PDF copy to print and save.
Test safety equipment
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, in 2022, there were 374,300 residential fires, resulting in 2,720 deaths, 10,250 injuries, and $10.8B in damages. Considering those numbers, you always want your safety equipment in top condition.
Safety equipment includes smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and your home's security system.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends changing your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Newer homes have detectors wired into the electrical system but still have battery backups. If you live in an older home, you probably have battery-operated smoke detectors. Remember, if their batteries die, they will not operate.
A fire extinguisher must have a pressure greater than the atmosphere. Check its gauge periodically to make sure it's up for the job. If it's low, discard it if it's disposable, or have it recharged. To find a place to recharge it, do a quick internet search for "certified fire equipment dealers near me."
Finally, contact your home's security company to learn how to keep the system in proper working order.
Change air and water filters
Changing air and water filters is a DIY task that any homeowner can perform. Keep extras on hand to prevent procrastination.
Regularly changing your furnace filters does more than keep your air free from allergens and dust; a fresh filter keeps your HVAC system running efficiently.
Changing the filters on your drinking water system ensures your water is safe to drink. And if you have a filter in your shower, keeping it changed protects your faucets and fixtures free from harmful hard water deposits.
Conduct HVAC inspection
Taking care of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is crucial for maintaining its proper functioning. Regular inspections play an important role in any HVAC maintenance plan. With a yearly inspection and tune-up, your heating system will continue to operate at peak efficiency, saving significantly on energy costs year-round.
If you're a die-hard DIYer and want to perform your own HVAC inspection, don't believe everything you read. For instance, you may have read about covering your outdoor unit in the winter to protect it from snow and ice. However, according to Sergey Nikolin, president of Product Air Heating & Cooling LLC, this is not recommended and can actually damage the unit. "Outdoor HVAC units are designed to withstand elements like heavy snowfall, rain, wind, or extreme temperatures," he says. "Covering them with a tight cover is unnecessary and only traps moisture inside, often leading to rust of parts and mold growth." So, if you don't have HVAC experience, we suggest you call in a pro.
If you have snowy winters in your area, elevate the unit slightly by placing it on bricks or pavers, and this will prevent moisture buildup around the unit base when snow is melting.
Service the water heater
Hard water sediment can build up in a water heater, causing clogs and interfering with the heating elements. Experts recommend draining the water heater once a year to remove those sediments. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions or call a professional to do it for you.
If you have a gas-fired water heater, test the pH of the water. "Acidic condensate is the byproduct of the condensing technology used in gas-fired, high-efficiency heating appliances," says Kyle Emmons, president of JJM Alkaline Technologies, a manufacturer of condensate neutralizer products. "If left untreated, acidic condensate can damage a home's plumbing, concrete foundations, floor drains, septic system, and other wastewater infrastructure."
A qualified technician will ensure your water heater is operating at peak efficiency, drain the sediment, set the thermostat, change the elements, and service the condensate neutralizer if one is installed. And while they're at it, they'll probably suggest you insulate the appliance, too.
Inspect and seal the deck
The first outdoor fall home maintenance must-do is to inspect and seal the deck. First, look for raised nails or twisted boards that could cause tripping and rough areas that could splinter in bare feet.
Once you've made any necessary repairs, spray the deck with a garden hose. If water soaks into the boards, it's time to apply a sealer. If the water beads, the seal is good for another winter.
However, sitting snow can cause mildew to grow on wood decks and furniture, according to Vageesh Bakhshi, senior product marketing manager at Cabot Stain. "A simple spray now of Cabot's Clear Wood Protector on decks, patios, and fences can stop mold in its tracks later," he says.
To remove snow from your deck, rather than using a shovel that can cause the stain to peel, consider using a push broom or leaf blower instead.
Rake and compost leaves
As the season's name implies, fall is the time to take care of fallen leaves. "Fallen leaves create a picturesque scene, but if left on the ground, they can foster mildew growth," says Peter Duncanson, VP of training & development at ServiceMaster Restore. Also, leaves left to decay pose a slipping hazard when wet and house vermin like mice and snakes.
You have a couple of options for leaf cleanup. Running them over with a mulching lawn mower will chop the leaves to bits. Then, they can be left on the lawn safely to act as a natural fertilizer. Or you can rake the leaves and add them to your compost bin or bag for municipal pick-up.
Clean and store lawn equipment
Since you won't be mowing, pruning, or landscaping in winter, fall is the perfect time to clean and store all your summer lawn equipment. It's also time to prepare your winter equipment, like your snow blower and shovels. You may choose to take your equipment to a small engine service provider. But if you're handy that way, you may do the work yourself.
Before doing anything, consult the owner's manual for specific instructions for your make and model. Depending on what you own, the manual may suggest the following tasks.
Change the engine oil.
Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Then, run the engine until empty to distribute the stabilizer through the motor.
Remove and fully charge the battery, storing it separately.
Store all equipment in a clean, dry place like the garage or a shed.
Store outdoor furniture
Depending on your climate, you should store your outdoor furniture in a clean, dry place for the winter. If you live in a temperate climate with little snow and hope to use your outdoor living space occasionally, apply weatherproof covers to protect your investment.
Clean the grill
Storing a grill for the winter with grease and food residue is more than just icky. It can cause corrosion, mold, and attract creepy crawlies. When you find yourself thinking, "This is the last time I'm standing out here freezing to grill a burger," do the following to store your grill safely.
Burn a hot fire for 15-20 minutes with the lid closed. Then cool.
Scrub the racks and grease the pan with hot, soapy water. Apply a light coating of cooking oil and store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag.
Disconnect the propane tank, remove the ignition battery, and wrap the regulator in plastic.
Replace the weatherproof cover.
If you store your grill in the garage rather than in an outdoor kitchen area, leave the propane tank outside.
If you have a charcoal grill, clean and store the racks and remove ash from the firepan.
Winterize the pool
If your pool differs from the kind you deflate and stash in the garage, you want to prepare it for winter. Otherwise, you may be greeted with an algae-filled mess when you remove the cover in the spring. We've outlined the basic steps to help you close your pool for the winter. But always "refer to the manufacturer’s or pool builder’s winterizing procedures and instructions," says Merrick Miller, pool care education and content leader at Leslie’s, a nationwide pool and spa care retailer.
Shock the pool a few days beforehand.
Thoroughly clean the pool.
Balance the water chemistry.
Add the winterizing chemicals.
Lower the water level.
Drain and winterize the equipment per the manufacturer's instructions.
Blow out the plumbing lines.
Remove all accessories like ladders, hoses, or skimmers.
Apply the pool cover.
The timeline for closing a pool will vary based on location. Close your pool when daytime temperatures consistently stay below 65°F.
Carol J Alexander is a home remodeling industry expert for Fixr.com. For more than 15 years as a journalist and content marketer, her in-depth research, interviewing skills, and technical insight have ensured she provides the most accurate and current information on a given topic. Before joining the Fixr team, her personal clients included leaders in the building materials market like Behr Paint Company, CertainTeed, and Chicago Faucet, and national publications like This Old House and Real Homes.