[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/home\/fall-home-maintenance-checklist\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/home\/fall-home-maintenance-checklist\/","headline":"The Ultimate Fall Home Maintenance Checklist","name":"The Ultimate Fall Home Maintenance Checklist","description":"Fall is more than just a season of vibrant colors and cozy sweaters. It\u2019s also the season that homeowners need to start prepping their homes for the winter. Use this fall home maintenance checklist to make sure you get all the important chores completed before it gets too cold. Table of contents: Exterior fall home […]","datePublished":"2023-08-11","dateModified":"2023-08-23","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/author\/mark-romero\/#Person","name":"Mark Romero","url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/author\/mark-romero\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Mark-Romero-150x150.png","url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Mark-Romero-150x150.png","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Agile Rates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/dev.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/unnamed.png","url":"https:\/\/dev.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/unnamed.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Fall-Home-Maintenance-Checklist-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Fall-Home-Maintenance-Checklist-1.jpg","height":1256,"width":2400},"url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/home\/fall-home-maintenance-checklist\/","about":["Home","Insurance Advice"],"wordCount":1151,"articleBody":"Fall is more than just a season of vibrant colors and cozy sweaters. It\u2019s also the season that homeowners need to start prepping their homes for the winter. Use this fall home maintenance checklist to make sure you get all the important chores completed before it gets too cold.Table of contents:Exterior fall home maintenance checklistInterior fall home maintenance checklistWhat should I do to my house in the fall?How do you declutter in the fall?How do you refresh your home for autumn?Why you need to check your home insurance policyExterior fall home maintenance checklistExpect to do quite a bit of exterior home maintenance in the fall because you need to winterize your house and property. Also, the more outdoor chores you complete in the fall, the less you\u2019ll have to do in freezing temperatures.Roof and guttersDamage to the roof can lead to serious issues when snow and ice accumulate. That\u2019s why dealing with your roof and gutters is so important before cold weather hits. You should:Inspect your roof for damaged or missing shinglesMake sure flashing is in placeClean the gutters to make sure they\u2019re debris-freeMake sure water flows freely through the gutters and downspoutsMake sure the downspouts are directly water away from your home\u2019s foundationWindows and doorsA good seal keeps the cold out and the warmth in. Inspect windows and doors for cracks or gaps and replace weatherstripping if needed. For added insulation, consider installing storm windows.Siding and paintEven small cracks in your home’s siding can let in cold air. Inspect for potential vulnerabilities and address them promptly.Peeling paint impacts aesthetics and exposes your home to potential weather damage. Touch up as necessary.LandscapingA lot of your fall landscaping revolves around ensuring your home is protected from snow and ice. Inspecting trees for branches growing too close to your home is important. They can become heavy with snow and ice and fall.Also, fallen leaves can create a damp environment that attracts pests. Regularly rake and dispose of them. It\u2019s especially important to clean leaves out of your gutters.Before the first freeze, winterize outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems to prevent pipe bursts.FoundationInspect the foundation for cracks or damages, which can become exacerbated in freezing temperatures.You also need to make sure the soil around your home slopes away from it, preventing water accumulation that can damage the foundation.Protect outdoor home featuresIt\u2019s also important to protect all of the equipment and features you have in your yard. Here are some things to take care of:Put patio furniture in storage or protect it with tarpsWinterize your swimming poolStore outdoor toys away for the winterTake down trampolines or winterize themInterior fall home maintenance checklistMaintaining your home throughout the fall is just as important as maintaining the outside of your house. Here are some things you should take care of indoors.Heating systemA professional furnace or heating system check-up can preempt major issues and ensure you’re warm all winter. During an inspection, your HVAC tech tests the furnace to ensure it\u2019s in working order and changes the filter.After the inspection, you need to regularly change or clean filters to keep the system running efficiently. Plan to check the filters once a month and change them at least every other month.Fireplace and chimneyBefore lighting the season’s first fire, ensure your chimney and fireplace are clean and safe.And make sure the damper opens and closes properly.If you use a wood-burning fireplace, stock up on a good amount of seasoned firewood.PlumbingPipes in unheated areas, like garages or crawl spaces, can freeze and burst. Insulate them well. You can purchase insulation tape at basic hardware stores. Simply use it to wrap your pipes so they don’t burst.Also, regularly inspect your home for leaks or drips and fix them promptly to avoid bigger issues later.Safety devicesYour smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential safety nets. Test them monthly and replace batteries as needed.If you don\u2019t have a fire escape plan, now’s a great time to create one. Make sure all upstairs bedrooms have a rope ladder, you have a clear evacuation plan for your family in case of a fire, and all of your fire extinguishers are in working order.It\u2019s also a good idea to start stockpiling non-perishable goods, water, and other emergency supplies in case a bad winter storm traps you inside and you lose power. Some things to keep for emergencies include:BlanketsWarm clothesBatteriesFlashlightsShovelsSalt or sand to help combat icy conditionsIf possible, keep a generator on hand and a supply of fuel for it.Attic and basementProper insulation in the attic can significantly cut down on heating costs. So consider adding more insulation if needed. Also, as the weather turns colder, critters look for warm places to live. Because of this, it\u2019s important to inspect the basement and attic for any unwanted guests.You should also check your basement regularly for signs of moisture or mold and address any issues immediately.FAQsWhat should I do to my house in the fall?In the fall, one of the most important things to focus on is preparing your home for the winter. Clean the guttersInspect the roof and foundationHave your furnace inspectedRake and dispose of leavesInspect your attic and basement for pestsWinterize your plumbingInsulate your homeHow do you declutter in the fall?When fall hits, it\u2019s time to put all of your spring and summer belongings in storage. As you pack it up, go through it to determine if there\u2019s anything you want to donate or sell. Then, go through your fall and winter stuff as you get it out of storage and bring it back into your home.How do you refresh your home for autumn?A good way to refresh your home for autumn is to bring some of the season’s colors inside. Add blankets and throw pillows in fall colors to your house. Consider bringing in some classic fall scents like the smell of pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon. Check your home insurance policyYou should review your home insurance policy and check rates for other companies once a year, so it\u2019s a great item to add to your fall home maintenance checklist. When you\u2019re ready to compare rates, use our online quoting tool to get rate comparisons quickly.Recent content:Complete Summer Home Maintenance Checklist (2023)The Ultimate Spring Home Maintenance ChecklistComplete Winter Home Maintenance Checklist (2023)Your Complete Monthly Home Maintenance ChecklistOrganize Your Annual Home Maintenance ChecklistSeasonal Home Maintenance Checklist"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Advice","item":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/\/home\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Ultimate Fall Home Maintenance Checklist","item":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/home\/fall-home-maintenance-checklist\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]