Fall is the season where skipped work gets expensive. A frozen hose bib, a clogged gutter, or a furnace that won't start on the first cold night all cost more than the hour it takes to prevent them.
Printable version: Download the fall home maintenance checklist as a PDF — one page of checkboxes. Free, no email required.
Skipped a season or two? Take the five-question Home Readiness Score to see which gaps matter most before winter closes in.
Outside
- Clean gutters and downspouts after most leaves have fallen.
- Make sure downspouts carry water at least 4 feet from the foundation.
- Disconnect hoses and shut off or drain outdoor faucets.
- Blow out the irrigation system before the first hard freeze.
- Look over the roof for lifted shingles and flashing gaps.
- Seal gaps around windows, doors, and siding penetrations.
- Trim branches back from the roof and power lines.
Heating
- Replace the furnace filter.
- Schedule a furnace or heat pump tune-up.
- Test the thermostat in heat mode before you need it.
- Have the chimney swept if you burn wood.
Inside
- Test smoke and CO alarms.
- Flush the water heater.
- Check weatherstripping and door sweeps.
- Switch ceiling fans to clockwise.
Yard and garage
- Winterize the lawn mower and gas equipment.
- Store patio furniture and cover the grill.
- Get snow tools and ice melt ready.
Track it in MaintFolio: add these as recurring tasks and you'll get a reminder each year, with a dated record of what was done.