During the golden days of October, winter might still feel far away—but getting your home ready now can save you from unexpected repairs, freezing nights, and last-minute stress.
Take care of these 11 simple fall maintenance tasks—like sealing drafts and protecting pipes—and your home will be cozy, safe, and worry-free all winter long.
1. Seal Air Leaks and Drafts Cold air sneaking in under doors and through window cracks can make your heating system work overtime, and that makes your energy bills soar. Use weatherstripping to close gaps around windows, doors, and attic hatches. And don’t forget to check those spots where plumbing or electrical wires enter your home—even small leaks can let in drafts that make your home chilly. Read this article to learn about three easy home energy audit tests to identify drafts and air leaks.
2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts When gutters are packed with autumn leaves and debris, melting snow and ice have nowhere to go. Backed-up water can lead to roof leaks, ice dams, and even damage to your siding and foundations, making gutter maintenance an easy DIY that can prevent big headaches later. Before temperatures drop, grab a gutter scoop and your ladder and get to work cleaning out your gutters. Once they’re clear, add gutter guards to keep them clean. And while you’re at it, make sure downspouts are channeling water at least 3-4 feet away from the house—this video shows you how to add a Tilt & Drain Downspout Extender to direct water where you want it to go.
3. Inspect Your Roof Snow can cause serious damage to your roof, especially if it’s old or in need of repair. Do a visual inspection to check for loose or missing shingles, cracked flashing, or any other areas where water might sneak in. Repair minor damage while the weather’s still mild to protect the roof from leaks and ice dams during winter storms. If there’s lots of damage, it’s time to call in a roofer.
4. Service Your Heating System Your furnace or boiler keeps your home cozy all winter, so make sure it’s up to the job. Have a licensed technician inspect, clean, and test it before the cold sets in. And don’t forget to change HVAC filters regularly to protect air quality and keep your system running smoothly.
5. Insulate Pipes and Shut Off Outdoor Water Frozen pipes can burst, leading to costly damage and water loss. Insulate exposed pipes with tubular foam pipe insulation—especially in basements and crawl spaces—and shut off and drain outdoor spigots, hoses, and sprinklers before the first freeze, then add a faucet cover to give spigots an extra layer of protection.
6. Reverse Ceiling Fans If you have ceiling fans, flip the switch so it runs clockwise and pushes warm air down instead of cooling the room. This simple trick helps heat circulate more efficiently, reducing your heating bill.
7. Prep Your Fireplace and Chimney Nothing beats a cozy fire on a cold night, but your fireplace needs some TLC to make sure it’s safe to use. Clean out ashes, check the damper, and hire a chimney sweep to remove creosote buildup that can cause dangerous chimney fires. If you have a gas fireplace, double-check that the vent is clear and everything’s working the way it should.
8. Inspect Attic Insulation and Ventilation If your attic isn’t properly insulated, you’re not just losing heat and money—you’re also setting the stage for icicles and ice dams. Adding extra insulation helps keep warm air where it belongs, while good ventilation prevents moisture from building up and causing mold. If ice dams have been an issue in past winters, it may be worth investing in electric roof cables, which keep water flowing through your gutters so it can’t back up, freeze, and damage your shingles or siding. Watch this video for step-by step installation tips.
9. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Colder weather means furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters are working overtime — and that’s when carbon monoxide risks increase. Before your heating system kicks into high gear, take a few minutes to test every carbon monoxide detector in your home. Replace the batteries if needed and check the expiration dates on the units to make sure they’re keeping your family safe.
10. Trim Tree Limbs and Clean Up the Yard Heavy snow and ice can take a serious toll on your home and yard. Overhanging branches may snap, damaging roofs, power lines, or gutters, while unsecured items on the ground can become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Before winter hits, trim back overhanging limbs near your house and power lines and take the time to store or secure outdoor furniture, grills, and garden tools so they’re stay put during storms.
11. Prepare Snow Removal Equipment Don’t wait until the first big storm to discover you don’t have the gear you need. Make sure shovels, snow blowers, and ice melt products are stocked and easy to reach. Test your snow blower ahead of time, fill the fuel tank, and sharpen the blades now so you’re prepared when winter weather hits.
