Must-Do Fall Projects to Prep Your Home for Winter

It’s never too early to check gutters, seal windows, and tune up the heating system before winter weather sets in.

Readying a home in the fall helps to ensure safety, warmth, and comfort in the cold months ahead. svetikd/Getty Images

Albert Camus was correct when he stated, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Fall is a happy season of pumpkin spice lattes, harvest festivals, and a refreshing nip in the air after all that summer heat and humidity. Take full advantage of it by getting the winterizing home checklist out of the way early.

This head start allows a homeowner to space out the work over several days or weekends as needed—with the benefit of more temperate working conditions.

Shorter Days Are Coming

Inspect exterior lights to make sure they’re in good condition. Replace any bulbs that have burned out and entire fixtures that have lived out their useful lives. Also, consider adding additional illumination, particularly around walkways and driveways. Check out end-of-season sales at home and garden centers for discounted solar lights.

Free-Flowing Gutters

Get out the ladder, garden hose, gutter scoop (or a kitchen spatula in a pinch), thick gloves, and safety goggles. The last two will protect you from any roof nails, screws, and other sharp debris that may be hidden among the leaf and twig debris in the gutters.

Cleaning gutters in the fall prevents clogs and ensures the gutter system can handle heavy winter precipitation. Arkadiusz Warguła/Getty Images

Inspect the gutters from below first, noting any repairs needed, then hop on the ladder and clear the gutters. Rinse the system with a garden hose and clear any clogs (disassembly may be needed for downspouts). This is a good time to add downspout filters, if you don’t already have them, or a leaf filter-style system along the entire gutter. Immediately repair any damage or deterioration discovered; gutters work hard in winter.

Enjoy the View

A clean roof is a strong roof. Remove leaves, branches, twigs, and other debris that can break down, rot, or mold, causing roof deterioration. Next, check for loose, broken, or missing shingles, as well as the potentially less obvious signs of summer sun damage: curling, blistering, cracks, discoloration, or soft spots on flat roofs and shingles. Also, inspect flashing around vent pipes, chimneys, skylights, and any other roof projections for signs of deterioration.

Make all repairs immediately; consider hiring a professional, if needed. This is also the time to check for any signs of rodent or other animal intrusion, as well as potential weak spots critters might find attractive. Repair and reinforce any weak spots as needed. Now, take a second and check out the neighborhood from on high.

A Tight Envelope

Get out the caulk gun and inspect all the window and door frames. Spot treat anywhere there is a tiny crack, loose seam, or other situation where cold air could get in. For larger repairs, remove the old caulk fully and apply anew. It can become tedious for large areas, but it’s good insurance against expensive drafts and lost heat.

Replacing damaged siding panels protects the home's structure from moisture and pests. ferrantraite/Getty Images

Also check (and caulk if needed) around water spigots (which should be covered with a spigot cover afterward to prevent freezing even if they’re drained), A/C connections to the home, and other home penetrations.

Next, examine windows and doors for loose or cracked weather stripping and seals. Be sure to run a hand around closed windows and doors to feel for airflow, and visually inspect for daylight peeking in from outside. Weather stripping and seal replacement is a quick, easy, and inexpensive fix, if required.

Use a small brush or handheld vac to clean summer-accumulated dirt and debris from the tracks and drainage channels (weep holes) of windows. Blocked weep holes can cause water to back up into the window frame and even the home, particularly during heavy rains.

Warm and Cozy

Putting in a new air filter is a must for both HVAC and furnace heating systems; consider upgrading it for better air quality. After that, the prep diverges.

For HVAC, switch the system to “fan” mode to blow out any accumulated dust, then vacuum or wipe down the exterior of the vents. Check all accessible ducting, and seal up any leaks with metallic AC tape (not, oddly enough, duct tape!). Turn the system on. If there’s an odd smell, it may just be dust burning off the coils. If it lasts for more than a minute or two, or the machine is making a strange noise or otherwise malfunctioning, call a professional. If not, and the air is blowing warm, it’s ready for use.

For both natural gas and propane furnaces, start with a sniff—a rotten egg smell could signal a gas leak and the need for immediate professional service. Next, give them a good lookover. Are the pipes secure? Does everything look ship-shape? On newer machines, check the drainage tube. If it’s clogged, blow it and the drainpipe out with compressed air, then pour a cup of vinegar down them to help prevent future slimy buildup.

Next, shut off the breaker and fuel supply valve, remove the access cover, clean the interior components using a soft paintbrush, and then vacuum up the residue. Unscrew the flame arrestor and clean it with an emery cloth. Reinstall, put the door back in place, and turn it on. If it makes a weird noise or otherwise malfunctions, call in a professional.

For radiators, turn the heat off after the initial test to bleed the lines (i.e., release water until the hissing of any trapped air stops). Check the pressure gauge on the boiler after each radiator. If it’s low, add more water. Then sit back and relax, knowing that the radiators will work at peak efficiency come winter.

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Fall Maintenance 201

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms each fall, and replace the batteries as well. It’s an easy way to remember this important annual task. Also consider taking the following steps:

Protect the Pipes

Insulating pipes, particularly those that run against an exterior wall of the home, will not only protect them from freezing and bursting, but also raise water temperatures by two to four degrees. Lower the water heater setting accordingly.

Seal the Deck

Powerwash the deck to remove dirt and debris. Check wood for cracks, rot, warp, raised nails, or loose planks, repairing as needed. The cool of autumn is the perfect time to apply deck stain and sealant, which will protect it against harsh winter weather.

Check the Snowblower

It’s never too early to get the snowblower back up and running. Check the spark plug, and when in doubt, replace it. Change the oil on a four-cycle engine (two-cycle engines mix the oil in with the fuel). Visually inspect the cables, rotor blades, and scraper, making repairs as needed.