Plan Your Home’s Fall Maintenance

Fall is here in Michigan, and while it’s tempting to spend every free weekend enjoying football, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and everything else this season has to offer, there’s one thing homeowners shouldn’t put off: getting your home ready for winter.

Making time for home maintenance can be difficult when everyone is busy. And let’s be honest—watching college football or taking the family to the pumpkin patch is a lot more fun than cleaning gutters!

But consistent upkeep is one of the best ways to protect your home, preserve its value, and prevent avoidable and potentially expensive damage. A little time and money invested in maintenance now can save you considerably more later.

Fall maintenance is especially important here in Genesee, Livingston, and Oakland Counties because it gives us a window between the heat and humidity of summer and Michigan’s freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. The cooler days of fall are a great time to tackle projects that will help prepare both your home and yard for the winter ahead.

Unfortunately, many homeowners discover problems only after winter arrives—frozen pipes, roof leaks, clogged gutters, furnace issues, damaged trees, and other expensive repairs that may have been prevented with a little preparation.

Don’t let that happen to you!

Now is a great time to look at your calendar and schedule those must-do projects over the next couple of months.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Even if you live in a condo, there are still yearly maintenance tasks you may be responsible for, including HVAC maintenance. Your condo association may handle certain exterior or common-area responsibilities, but every association is different. Check your association documents so you know exactly what is your responsibility and what is theirs.
• Some projects can be DIY jobs, while others are better left to a professional. For certain systems and services—such as HVAC, chimney inspections, pest control, roofing, or tree work—it may make sense to establish a relationship with a trusted professional and schedule annual service.

And if you’re looking for a reputable local contractor, I’m always happy to share recommendations and point you toward trusted professionals serving Genesee, Livingston, and Oakland Counties.

Get Organized Today

Don’t feel overwhelmed by this fall maintenance list. It may look long, and not every item will apply to every home. A newer home, condo, ranch, farmhouse, and older two-story home will all have different needs.

The key is simply to stay organized.

Consider creating a home maintenance binder or using a home maintenance app on your phone or tablet to keep track of repairs, projects, service appointments, and seasonal tasks.

That way, you’ll know what needs to be done each month and can plan ahead for larger expenses. Many apps also allow you to set reminders so those important maintenance tasks don’t get forgotten.

Keeping good records can also be incredibly helpful when it comes time to sell your home. You can keep track of repair dates and costs, contractor information, receipts, warranties, appliance model numbers, and manufacturer information all in one place.

It becomes your home’s own maintenance history—something that can be valuable for you now and helpful to future buyers later.

Your Handy Fall To-Do List

Customize the list below for your own home and add it to your maintenance binder or app. You can also download the handy printable checklist that goes along with this article.

Doors, Windows & Attic

Fall is a great time to tackle these projects before cold weather arrives and heating bills begin to rise:

• Add or replace weather-stripping around doors and windows to help keep cold air out.
• Caulk around windows where you feel drafts or notice gaps.
• Check your entry doors and consider installing or upgrading a storm door.
• Inspect basement window wells and add covers or protective shields if needed.
• Check your attic insulation and look for areas where additional insulation could improve energy efficiency.
• Give your windows one final thorough cleaning while the weather is still comfortable. You’ll appreciate having clean windows before winter arrives!

Chimney & Fireplace

Before lighting your first fire of the season, make sure your chimney and fireplace are ready:

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional.
• Check that the damper opens and closes properly. Keep it closed when the fireplace is not in use and remember to open it before starting a fire.
• Look for loose bricks, cracked mortar, or other visible signs of deterioration and have repairs completed before winter weather.
• Make sure your chimney is properly lined and vented for your heating system and appliances.
• Install or inspect a chimney cap or screen to help keep birds, squirrels, and other critters out.
• If you burn wood, purchase firewood early and store it properly away from the exterior walls of your home.
• If you’ve been considering a gas fireplace, fall can be a good time to explore your options before the coldest weather arrives.

Furnace, Ducts, AC & More

Get your heating system ready now—before you really need it.

• Schedule a professional inspection and maintenance service for your furnace or HVAC system.
• If you have a whole-house humidifier, have it checked and make sure it is ready to operate properly during the dry winter months.
• Stock up on furnace filters and replace or clean them as recommended for your particular system.
• Dirty filters can make your HVAC system work harder and can reduce efficiency and indoor air quality.
• If appropriate for your system, have your air conditioning components prepared for the off-season.
• Have your ductwork inspected for leaks, especially at the joints, and have it cleaned if necessary.
• Make sure ducts running through attics, crawl spaces, basements, or other unconditioned areas are properly insulated.
• Remove and store window air-conditioning units before freezing temperatures arrive.
• Clean your dryer vent by vacuuming the vent hose and the exterior dryer vent opening. This should generally be done at least twice a year.
• Clean and disinfect portable humidifiers to help prevent mold and bacteria from building up in standing water.

Thermostat

Keep your home comfortable while managing energy costs:

• Consider installing a programmable or smart thermostat so you can automatically lower the temperature while you’re sleeping or away from home.
• Use your thermostat efficiently and avoid allowing your home to get too cold during extended absences. A commonly recommended minimum is 55°F to help reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

Home Exterior

Fall is the time to prevent small problems from becoming major winter repairs.

Gutters

• Clean gutters and downspouts of leaves, pine needles, and other debris. Depending on the trees around your home, you may need to do this more than once during the fall.
• Clogged gutters can lead to water damage at any time of year. In winter, trapped water can freeze and become heavy enough to pull gutters away from your home.
• Check yard drains, area drains, and drainage grates around your property and clear away leaves and debris.
• Make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation and toward an appropriate drainage area.
• During the next heavy rain, take a few minutes to watch where the water flows around your home. Catching drainage problems early can help prevent major water damage.

Roof & Foundation

• Inspect your roof for damaged, missing, or aging shingles.
• Check seals and flashing around vents, chimneys, skylights, and other roof penetrations.
• Look for cracks around the foundation and seal appropriate openings to help keep water and unwanted pests out.
• Check around utility lines, doors, windows, and other potential entry points for gaps that mice or other pests could use to get inside.

Outdoor Plumbing

• Drain outdoor faucets and disconnect garden hoses before freezing temperatures arrive.
• Winterize in-ground irrigation systems according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• If you’re unsure how to properly winterize your plumbing or irrigation system, contact a qualified professional before the first hard freeze.

Driveway & Walkways

• Inspect your driveway and walkways for cracks.
• Seal appropriate cracks before winter to help prevent water from getting inside, freezing, and making the damage worse.

Yard

Fall is a great time to enjoy your yard while also preparing it for winter.

• Rake leaves regularly instead of waiting until the end of the season for one enormous cleanup.
• Check your city or township’s leaf collection schedule and requirements. Services can vary throughout Genesee, Livingston, and Oakland Counties.
• Remove dead plants, weeds, and spent annuals.
• Prune shrubs and trees as appropriate for the type of plant and season.
• Cut back perennials and divide or transplant them as needed.
• Aerate, fertilize, and overseed your lawn in early fall when conditions are appropriate.
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs before the ground freezes.
• Consider adding perennial plants to your landscaping for long-term beauty with less annual maintenance.
• Trim branches that are too close to your home, roof, driveway, or utility lines.
• For large trees or branches near power lines, hire a qualified tree professional rather than taking on the work yourself.

As Colder Weather Approaches

• Drain garden hoses and store them indoors.
• Clean and cover outdoor furniture or move it into storage.
• Protect sensitive plants as needed, including roses and other plants that may need winter protection.
• Stake young trees or vulnerable shrubs if necessary.
• Put away seasonal outdoor décor and equipment before snow and ice arrive.

Power Failures & Severe Weather

Michigan weather can change quickly, so it pays to be prepared before a major storm arrives.

Keep a basic emergency supply kit where you can easily find it, including:

• Flashlights and extra batteries.
• Candles or battery-operated candles.
• Matches and lighters stored safely.
• Bottled water.
• Nonperishable food for your household and pets.
• Warm blankets.
• Necessary medications and other essential supplies.
• A snow shovel.
• Ice melt or salt, including pet-friendly options if needed.
• Basic supplies for winter power outages.

Save the phone numbers for your utility companies in your contacts and sign up for emergency alerts or text notifications offered by your city, township, or county.

A few minutes of preparation can make a major difference when a winter storm knocks out power or creates hazardous conditions.

You don’t have to tackle everything in one weekend. Break the list into manageable projects and work through it over the next several weeks.

The goal is simply to get ahead of winter instead of reacting to problems after they happen.

And remember, if you have questions about your home or need recommendations for trusted contractors, please reach out! Whether you’re in Brighton, Howell, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Davison, Clarkston, Waterford, Holly, or one of the many surrounding communities, I’m always happy to be a resource.

As your local real estate professional, I want you to love where you live, protect your investment, and get the most out of your home for years to come.

As always, I’m your go-to local resource for all things real estate!

Andrea Menko-Real Estate
Serving Genesee, Livingston & Oakland Counties