10 Tasks for Fall Home Maintenance
Home maintenance tasks for the fall can range from pressure washing a driveway to making sure your home will stay warm when the weather gets cold. And if you have a lawn and garden, you can take steps now to help ensure it bounces back green and healthy in the spring. In most cases, these are relatively simple do-it-yourself projects that can reap big rewards. But if you don’t feel safe or confident doing a particular task yourself, call in the pros.
1. Keep the Cold Air Out
Check around your house for all those spots where drafts can come in — usually around doors and windows. Make sure the weatherstripping or caulk is in decent condition and replace it if needed. Use weatherstripping for gaps around doors and window tracks and use caulk to seal cracks and other fixed objects like outlet plates and window frames. Use spray foam insulation for larger fixed gaps.
Learn more about weatherstripping doors.
Learn how to weatherstrip windows.
Find out how to install foam insulation
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2. Inspect Your Heating System
You can take care of some inspection tasks on your own, but some jobs are best left to the professionals, especially if you’re dealing with a gas furnace.
Make sure that your heater or radiant heat system turns on and works before the cold sets in. Also, inspect any wood stoves for damage to the body or the stove pipe. Change the filter in your furnace and make sure you have spare filters for later in the season.
If you call in the pros, they’ll be able to do things like check fan belts, inspect blower motors and test your thermostat, as well as make any extensive repairs. Be sure to clear any clutter from around your system to allow for easier inspection and to avoid fire hazards.
Learn how to change your air filters.
Select the best air filters for your home.
Find the right thermostat for your home.
3. Inspect Your Fireplace
From the ground, visually check your chimney for loose bricks and other damage. From inside, look up the flue and inspect it for creosote buildup and other blockages, including nests, if you don’t have a chimney cap to prevent debris from coming into your chimney.
Just like heating systems, it's best to leave a thorough fireplace inspection to the pros. Schedule an appointment in the fall to ensure your fireplace will operate safely. Professionals will be able to safely check the chimney from the roof and perform any necessary cleaning or repairs.
Check out these modern fireplace ideas.
Select a fireplace insert.
Learn how to find the best gas logs for your fireplace.
4. Pressure-Wash and Repair Your Driveway
Pressure washing a driveway will take care of the dirt and grime that’s accumulated on your driveway and walkways over the summer months. Use a concrete degreaser, if necessary, to remove oil spots. Also take this opportunity to fill in any cracks that have appeared in your concrete, which you can do with a concrete sealer. This is important to do before freezing temperatures arrive since frozen water will cause the cracks to expand.
Learn how to pressure wash a driveway.
Wash a deck or fence with a pressure washer.
Wash your car, truck or boat with a pressure washer.
5. Clean Your Grill
If you do a lot of grilling, you’ll probably need to deep-clean your grill more than just once a year. But a good, deep clean right before you hang up your tongs for the season will allow you to jump right back into the game when the weather’s warmer. Or, if you’re a year-round griller, a deep grill cleaning is a good way to start off your new season.
Learn how to clean and maintain your grill.
Find the best grill or smoker for your backyard.
Learn how to plan and build an outdoor kitchen.
6. Clean Your Gutters
Regular gutter cleaning and repair will keep your gutters in good shape and protect your home from leaks and water damage. Gutters should usually be cleaned out in the spring and the fall. If you have a lot of trees, you may need to do it more often. Gutter cleaning can be a DIY project if you feel comfortable on a ladder. If you have a multi-story home or you're not comfortable doing this, it's best to leave this task to the pros.
If you're tired of cleaning gutters, consider purchasing and installing gutter guards. Gutter guards are essentially a screen that screws onto the top of the gutter, keeping leaves and debris out of your gutters. Just use a brush on a long extension pole to sweep leaves off after a heavy fall.
Learn about the different types of rain gutters.
Find out how to install gutter screens.
Clean and repair your gutters.
7. Clean Up the Leaves in Your Yard
You don’t want to leave those whole, dead leaves on your lawn because they can harm your grass by preventing the soil and roots from getting what they need. The fallen leaves can also block sunlight.
There are many ways to handle this task. You can rake, use a leaf blower, a lawn sweeper or even mow your leaves to break them up into mulch. Mulched leaves can act as a fertilizer. You can also add mulched leaves to your compost pile.
Learn how to prepare your lawn and garden for winter.
Find out how to maintain your leaf blower.
Should you get a leaf blower or a lawn sweeper?
8. Fertilize Your Lawn, Trees and Shrubs
In areas with particularly cold winters, fertilizing in late fall helps winterize your lawn so it can rebound green and healthy in the spring. Fertilizer can also fortify the hardiness of trees and shrubs.
Learn how to pick the best fertilizer spreader for your lawn.
Follow these fall lawn care tips.
Find out when to seed and fertilize your lawn.
9. Locate and Test Winter Equipment and Tools
Don’t wait until you’re under three feet of snow before you realize your snow blower isn’t working or your shovel has a broken handle. Take inventory of the winter equipment and tools you’ll be using before winter weather strikes and test that their condition and function. Make sure you have enough ice melt, too.
Learn the best way to use a snow blower.
Find the best snow blower to clear your driveway and sidewalk.
Select the best snow shovel for different conditions.
10. Drain Outdoor Faucets
If you live in a climate that experiences freezing weather in winter, take steps to prevent pipes from freezing. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for protecting your in-ground irrigation system. After the last use of the season, disconnect garden hoses and drain your outdoor faucets. Also, consider installing insulated faucet covers for further protection.
Learn how to prevent your pipes from freezing.
Find out how to install an underground sprinkler system.
Learn how to winterize a sprinkler system.
- Store outdoor furniture or use patio furniture covers if they need to stay outside.
- Clean out your bird feeders and set out a new variety of food for your winter visitors.
Let's Get Started
This fall, prep and protect your home for the chilly upcoming months. Tasks like weatherstripping, fertilizing your lawn, protecting your pipes and cleaning your gutters are easy DIY tasks that can be done in a weekend. Lowe’s has all the products you need to get ready for the season. Shop online or visit your local Lowe’s store.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start my fall home maintenance?
It depends on where you live in the country. In regions like the Northeast and Midwest where temperatures drop earlier, you'll probably want to get started in September. In warmer climates, like the Southeast, you can wait until October to do your fall maintenance. Just try to be done with your checklist before the temperatures drop below freezing.
Why is fall home maintenance important?
You'll want to do regular fall maintenance because it can prevent costly winter damage and improves energy efficiency. For example, weatherstripping and foam insulation will prevent window and door drafts, which will save you money and keep you comfortable through the cold winter months. Cleaning the gutters prevents clogs that cause roof leaks and fascia damage.
How can I make my home more energy-efficient in the fall?
There are numerous tasks that you could do in a weekend to make your home more energy efficient. By replacing air filters, checking for window and door drafts, using a programmable thermostat and installing weatherstripping, you can save money on your energy bills this winter.
What maintenance tasks should I hire a professional for?
The majority of fall maintenance projects are easy to DIY, but some need to be left to the professionals. Call and set up seasonal appointments with a licensed company for chimney inspections, furnace servicing, roof repairs and any gas or electrical-related maintenance.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Typically, you should clean your gutters twice a year — in spring and fall — but more often if you have overhanging trees. Autumn leaves piling up in your gutters can cause clogs that could eventually lead to roof leaks and related damage.
Can you clean your gutters yourself?
Yes, you can clean your own gutters if you feel confident in performing the task and are comfortable on a ladder. Scoop out the leaves by hand or use a handy tool such as a gutter scoop. You may want to hire a professional if you live in a multi-story home or if you’re not comfortable doing the task yourself. This is also a good time to inspect your roof and make repairs.