Many homeowners focus on home improvement projects in the spring, but preparing your property for colder temperatures in the fall is equally as important. Carrying out some simple maintenance tasks can help keep your heating system running properly, boost your home’s energy efficiency and even cut down on maintenance when the weather starts to warm up again.
Use this fall home maintenance checklist to prepare for harsh weather, prevent property damage and keep your home and yard looking clean and tidy through the winter months.
Why is fall home maintenance important?
When snow and below-freezing temperatures hit, your home’s systems and structures will be under additional stress. Neglect can lead to heating system breakdowns and dangerous no-heat emergencies, clogged gutters, uncomfortable drafts, and even foundation and water damage in extreme cases.
Plus, outdoor maintenance tasks like cleaning gutters and sealing windows and doors are more comfortable before freezing temperatures set in.
Fall home maintenance checklist
1. Clean your gutters
DIY friendly: Yes
When to do it: Once the trees shed their leaves
Average cost: $75 - $450
Fall leaves might be beautiful, but they can also clog your gutters and lead to spillover. When your gutters fill with rain or melted snow, that water can spill over and damage your roof soffits and fascia, as well as drip onto the ground and gradually cause foundation damage.
Clearing leaves, other tree debris and shingle grit out of your gutters after the trees shed the last of their canopies will keep gutters and downspouts clear. That means they’ll route melting snow and rain down to the ground and away from your structure for safe disposal.
Want to cut down on gutter maintenance and install gutter guards? Our recommended providers:
- LeafFilter
- HomeCraft Gutter Protection
- LeafGuard
- All American Gutter Protection
2. Get an HVAC tune-up
DIY friendly: No
When to do it: Mid-October
Average cost: $75 - $200
It’s also wise to get ahead of the HVAC game. By the time you turn your heating system on, it has been sitting idle for months since it last worked overtime to keep your home warm.
pro tip
- If you have a home warranty, it may offer you free or discounted HVAC tune-ups with a local HVAC expert.
“Repairs during peak usage can [also] be more expensive, and it is more difficult to hire a professional immediately,” said Faraz Tajik, owner of Crest Builders Inc., a full-service home renovation company in California. “By planning ahead, you can identify and address potential issues before they become costly repairs during the high season in winter.”
Your professional usually lubricates moving parts and replaces broken or damaged HVAC components. This helps avoid potentially dangerous outages that can put your family at risk and lead to burst plumbing pipes. It also makes your system run more efficiently, potentially reducing your winter utility costs.
3. Change HVAC filters
DIY friendly: Yes
When to do it: Mid-October
Average cost: $5 - $50
pro tip
- If you hire a professional to conduct a full system tune-up, the work usually includes filter replacement. You can often save on annual or bi-annual tune-ups by signing up for a service contract with your local HVAC expert. Check your estimate beforehand or ask your HVAC tech to confirm that it includes a filter.
If you don’t opt for a complete tune-up, you should at least replace your HVAC filters. This is a simple DIY task that anyone can perform, provided you know what size filter to buy.
“Dirty filters force your system to work harder, reducing its lifespan and efficiency,” said Armando Betancourt, owner of One Air Florida, an HVAC company in Florida. “Replacing your filters regularly helps your HVAC system run smoothly and last longer.”
4. Repair windows
DIY friendly: Yes, for some repairs
When to do it: Mid-October
Average cost: $160 - $670
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows are responsible for up to 30% of your home’s heat loss. Repairing windows in preparation for colder temperatures can reduce stress on your heating system, keep your home more comfortable by reducing drafts and reduce your heating bills by increasing energy efficiency.
A professional window replacement company will be required to help with more extensive repairs, like replacing broken or cracked glass or resealing double or triple-pane windows.
Want to maximize the efficiency of your home by installing high-quality replacement windows? Our recommended providers:
5. Clean off solar panels
DIY friendly: Yes
When to do it: Mid-October
Average cost: $5 - $25 per panel
Debris on the surface of the solar panel glass can reflect light away, reducing the efficiency of your solar system. The United States typically experiences less sunlight intensity in the winter months, so cleaning your solar panels to remove pollen and debris is an excellent way to maximize electricity production and potentially save you more on electric bills.
You can use a hose from the ground or a ladder to remove the bulk of the debris and pollen, or you can hire a professional solar panel company to get on your roof and scrub your panels clean.
Don’t have solar but want to install panels to reduce electric bills and your carbon footprint? Our recommended providers:
6. Clean fireplace flues
DIY friendly: No
When to do it: Mid-October
Average cost: $120 - $400
If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove that you plan to use during the winter, cleaning the flues before you start using them will reduce the risk of fire and improve indoor air quality. Flues gradually accumulate a highly flammable substance called creosote, which can lead to an increased fire risk. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a clean chimney won’t catch fire. Plus, creosote can cause lung, skin and eye irritation.
It’s best to have a professional carry out chimney sweeping, as they will need to seal off the interior to prevent creosote from getting into your living space, work on the roof and wear proper safety equipment to avoid inhalation.
7. Bleed radiators
DIY friendly: Yes
When to do it: Before you turn the heat on
Average cost: $100 - $300
pro tip
- You don’t need to bleed steam radiators, so figure out which you have before proceeding. You have steam radiators if your boiler has a vertical glass tube extending from it — called a sight glass. If it has a small cylindrical tank attached to it — called an expansion tank — you have hot water radiators.
“Radiators, especially in colder climates, should be bled annually to release trapped air,” said Bentancourt. “If you hear gurgling or banging, it’s definitely time to bleed your radiators.” Over time, air trapped inside your hot water radiators will reduce their efficiency, driving up your home heating costs and putting added strain on your boiler.
An easy fix is to bleed your radiators. You’ll need a radiator key or a flathead screwdriver for more modern radiators.
Locate the bleed valve, usually near the top of the fixture. Place a glass or bucket underneath the valve and open it slightly. You should hear air escaping, and once the water starts flowing out into your bucket, close the valve. Do this for each radiator in your home, beginning on your upper floors and working your way down.
8. Winterize sprinkler system/hose bibbs
DIY friendly: No
When to do it: Before the first frost
Average cost: $50 - $150
pro tip
- Consider shutting off the valve leading to hose bibbs — usually located just inside where the spigot is — and opening them to release any water inside.
Underground pipes for sprinkler systems are at high risk of bursting if the water inside them freezes. This can cause thousands of dollars in excavation and repairs, high water bills and the potential for foundation damage if the soil around your home expands in response to the moisture.
To prevent these issues you should plan to blow out the lines before the first frost of the season, usually mid-October to late-November. A professional will push compressed air through each zone to remove water.
9. Clean out window wells and basement stairwell drains
DIY friendly: Yes
When to do it: Once the trees shed their leaves
Average cost: $50 - $100
Leaves and tree debris can clog window wells and basement stairwell drains. “These wells are located near the house’s foundation, [and] excess water near the foundation can settle the foundation over time and cause cracks in the structure,” said Tajik.
If rain or melting snow accumulates above the clog, it could overflow into your home, leading to water damage, decreasing your home’s efficiency and indoor air quality and increasing the risk of pest infestation and mold growth. Water damage restoration and mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars.
Once the last leaves fall from the trees on your property, clear them and other debris from the drains inside your window wells and any stairways that lead down to a walkout basement. This is a simple DIY job, but consider hiring a professional if you suspect a clog on the inside of the drain.
10. Rake and aerate lawn
DIY friendly: Yes
When to do it: Mid-October
Average cost: $85 - $350
Light leaf debris on your lawn will naturally break down and add nutrients to your soil, but heavy, wet leaves can lead to matting and promote mold and fungal growth. Rake your lawn once the last of the leaves have fallen to prevent these issues.
You can also aerate your lawn to loosen the soil and prevent compaction under heavy snow. Aeration will also provide easier access to oxygen. It will be especially beneficial for promoting a healthy lawn through the winter, especially for cool-season grass that continues to grow in colder weather.
11. Get a roof inspection
DIY friendly: No
When to do it: Mid-October
Average cost: $100 - $400
Your roof is likely to see long exposure to moisture and heavier loads from snow throughout the winter. This can mean an increased risk of roof leaks if your roof is compromised and structural issues in extreme cases.
pro tip
- Your homeowners insurance may require an annual roof inspection to maintain affordable coverage. If it does, it will typically pay for the expense.
A roof inspector will check the health and remaining lifespan of your roof to help prevent problems, including damage to roof shingles, flashing, soffits and fascia. They can also look for areas at high risk of leaking around roof penetrations from solar panels or snow guards. Most will also check your gutters for proper functionality.
Some roof inspectors will check the underside of your roof for adequate structural integrity to stand up to heavy snow accumulation, and they might be able to recommend adding insulation if your roof is at risk of ice dams.
Bottom line
Spend some time and money to ensure your home is in peak condition before harsh winter weather puts added strain on it. Doing so secures your peace of mind, can save you money on more extensive repairs if something goes wrong, boosts your home efficiency and can even improve comfort and indoor air quality.
Focus on systems and components that are at the highest risk of damage and stress through the cold weather and snow. Those include your heating system, your roof, gutters, windows, lawn and outdoor plumbing.