Maintenance
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Prepare for Winter
Fall maintenance is preventive rather than diagnostic. Every task on this list exists to stop a specific, expensive winter failure.
Heating first
Have the furnace or boiler serviced before the first cold night, and test the system while a technician can still be reached on a normal schedule.
- Professional furnace or boiler service
- Fresh filter and clear return vents
- Chimney inspection and sweeping for any wood-burning appliance
- Test carbon monoxide detectors on every level
Stop water before it freezes
- Shut off and drain exterior spigots and irrigation lines
- Disconnect and store hoses
- Insulate pipes in unconditioned crawl spaces, garages, and attics
- Locate and label the main water shutoff
Prevent ice dams
Ice dams form when attic heat melts snow that refreezes at the cold eaves. The fix is insulation and ventilation, not roof heat cable.
- Verify attic insulation depth and even coverage
- Confirm soffit and ridge vents are unobstructed
- Seal attic bypasses at can lights, chases, and the attic hatch
- Clear gutters after the final leaf drop
Seal the envelope
Replace failed weatherstripping, re-caulk exterior penetrations, and check that storm doors and windows close cleanly. These small items measurably reduce heating cost over a long winter.
Frequently asked questions
When should I winterize outdoor faucets?
Before the first hard freeze — typically several weeks earlier than most homeowners expect in northern climates.
How do I prevent ice dams?
Air-seal and insulate the attic floor and keep soffit-to-ridge ventilation clear so the roof deck stays cold.