Fall home maintenance checklist

10 tasks to close out summer and protect your home through winter. Work through these in October before the first hard freeze.

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1. Clean gutters after leaves fall

Leaf-packed gutters cause ice dams and overflow damage in winter. Clean after the last leaves drop, before first freeze.

Gutters

2. Winterize outdoor spigots

Drain and shut off exterior water lines before the first hard freeze. A burst pipe from a frozen spigot can cost thousands.

Plumbing

3. Replace smoke and CO detector batteries

The fall clock change is the standard reminder. Dead batteries are the leading reason detectors fail to alert.

Safety

4. Schedule HVAC tune-up before heating season

A fall tune-up catches heat exchanger issues and dirty furnace components before the first cold night.

HVAC

5. Blow out irrigation system before first frost

Water left in irrigation lines freezes and cracks heads and pipes. A compressed air blowout is required in freeze climates.

Irrigation

6. Inspect weatherstripping on all exterior doors

Gaps in door weatherstripping are a primary source of winter heat loss. Replace anything cracked or compressed.

Entry Doors

7. Clean dryer vent

Lint buildup in dryer vents is a leading cause of house fires — especially with increased dryer use in winter months.

Dryer

8. Schedule chimney sweep if wood-burning

Creosote buildup in unswept chimneys causes chimney fires. NFPA recommends annual sweeps before fireplace season.

Chimney

9. Test sump pump and battery backup

Fall storms can trigger heavy runoff. Confirm your pump activates and the battery backup holds a charge.

Sump Pump

10. Check attic for animal entry before winter

Rodents and squirrels seek warmth before cold sets in. Look for gaps, droppings, or nesting material.

Attic

Guides for these tasks

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