Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Home Maintenance Checklist – Winterize Your Home

Our Fall maintenance checklist offers tips and advice to winterize your home’s systems and make sure they are in good working order during the upcoming Winter months.

1. Have your heating system professionally inspected.
2. Change/clean HVAC air filters. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean out forced air registers and ductwork in your house.
3. Check the weather stripping around your exterior doors and windows. Repair gaps or other damaged areas.
4. Inspect the caulking around the exterior doors and windows. Reapply if necessary to minimize drafts and keep insects out.
5. Properly “close” your pool. Make sure water is drained from pipes, and cover your pool to keep it clean and safe during the off-season.
6. Clean your chimney and fireplace to minimize chances for fire-related problems during Winter.
7. Inspect your roof for damaged shingles, flashing, skylights, dormers, etc. Repair as needed.
8. Inspect attic and basement for signs of birds, squirrels, bats, and unwanted guests. Seal entrance holes.
9. Drain water from outdoor faucets, garden hoses, and underground sprinkler systems to minimize freeze damage.
10. Insulate pipes outside the home and in unheated basements and garages.

Get more homeowner home maintenance checklists and home improvement tips from HomeServiceReports.org.