10 Expert Tips for Fall and Winter Home Maintenance

If you own a residence, no matter where you live— whether you're preparing for colder temperatures or still walking around in shorts and flip flops —there are regular maintenance tasks you should complete to keep your home as functional and beautiful as possible throughout the changing seasons. Here are the maintenance tasks that should be on your to-do list this fall and winter. 

Important Fall Maintenance Tasks 

With winter on the way, fall is a time for preventative care. Take advantage of the season's agreeable temperatures and winterize your community, repairing, replacing, and updating the components and structures that are most susceptible to the cold. Your fall maintenance checklist should look something like this: 

Inspect windows and doors, both inside and outside.

Be sure the seal around the window or door is not cracked or failing. Caulk cracks and install weather stripping where the seal has failed. Also, replace any broken window glass.

Clean and replace filters in your heating system. 

If you have a gas heater, inspect the pilot light to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Contact your local gas and electric providers to schedule an inspection.

Inspect, clean, and repair fireplace elements.

This includes the chimney and flue, especially for wood-burning fireplaces. To remove soot, use a fire shovel, a handheld broom, dish soap, baking soda paste, and a scrub brush. 

Change the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors in homes and shared community spaces should be serviced regularly to maintain effectiveness. Most local governments require periodic inspections of all fire safety devices, which your local fire department may be able to conduct. Between those inspections, it’s helpful to remind residents to check the smoke alarms in their homes each month.

Drain and flush particulates and sediment from water heaters.

Sediment builds up and reduces heating efficiency, and in gas water heaters it can cause hot spots that will lead to premature failure.

Trim trees away from home properly.

Keep trees, bushes, and landscaping neat and trimmed. Clear any branches that could pose risks under heavy snow.

Check eave or gable vents to ensure screens are intact.

Rodents and other pests can easily make their way into warm, cozy attics through these access points if not properly secured.

Clean and remove debris from rain gutters and downspouts.

This ensures proper flow and drainage for your home. Gutter guards can also help keep gutters debris-free.

Inspect painted exterior areas.

Any chipped or bare areas should be painted as soon as possible. Paint and surface coverings like stains protect components from damaging water intrusion and other damaging elements like pests.

Inspect your roof or hire a professional to conduct an inspection. 

Be sure that the tiles are in good shape, the areas surrounding protrusions are properly sealed, and the flashing is sitting properly.

Important Winter Maintenance Tasks

Excessive ice, sleet, and snow make it hazardous to drive, walk, or even be outside for an extended period of time. The inability to get immediate services when you need them most poses a threat to HOAs during the winter months. To combat the dangers of winter weather, associations must prepare ahead of time to ensure the safety of residents and the stability of operations. Some to-dos for colder conditions include: 

Planning and conducting snow removal.

Work with your snow removal vendor to draft a removal schedule. A qualified vendor with a
proven track record should be able to explain their approach to snow removal for a seamless
and effective winter maintenance plan. 

Preventing and maintaining ice accumulation.

Partner with your snow removal vendor to manage deicing and preventive measures. Post
signs in areas that are more susceptible to accumulation.

Protecting buildings and structures.

Inspect roofs, gutters, foundations, weatherstripping, doors, and windows for cracks, erosion, and
other imperfections that could worsen with time. Make repairs immediately.

Checking in on utility operations.

Understand how to turn off the water supplies and what to do if the electricity or gas malfunctions or goes out. 

Winterizing watering systems.

Drain sprinklers and shut off after you’ve finished watering for the year. Contact a professional for help determining the appropriate draining methods for your watering systems.

Maintenance and Your Governing Documents

Properly maintaining your home will help protect your investment. Regular inspections and completion of maintenance tasks will save you money in costly repairs down the road. A few hours spent taking care of your home now will free up hours of free time! 

If you are an owner in a homeowners', property owners ', or condominium association, be sure to refer to your governing documents for clarity about your maintenance responsibilities as an owner and the maintenance responsibilities of the community you live in.  To get help locating your association's governing documents, read our guide on "5 Places to Find Your Governing Documents".