The October Homeowner Checklist: Small Things Worth Doing Before Winter

October is a good time to look at your home with winter in mind.

You don’t necessarily need a weekend full of major projects. In fact, a handful of relatively simple tasks can help you prepare your home for colder weather and potentially catch small problems before they become bigger ones.

Start Outside

Before temperatures drop, walk around the exterior of your home.

Look for:

• Loose or damaged gutters
• Downspouts that aren’t directing water away from the foundation
• Cracked exterior caulking
• Damaged screens or storm windows
• Branches hanging close to the house
• Leaves and debris accumulating around drainage areas

You don’t need to fix everything immediately, but identifying potential problems now gives you time to address them.

Pay Attention to Your Heating System

If your heating system hasn’t been used since last winter, fall is a good time to make sure it’s ready.

Replace filters as appropriate, make sure vents and registers aren’t blocked, and consider having your system professionally serviced if that is part of your normal maintenance routine.

If something doesn’t sound or feel right when you first turn the heat on, don’t ignore it.

Check Doors and Windows

Walk around the house and look for obvious drafts around exterior doors and windows.

Weatherstripping and caulking can deteriorate over time.

Small gaps may not seem significant, but addressing them can make your home more comfortable when colder weather arrives.

Test Your Safety Devices

Fall is also a good reminder to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Make sure they’re functioning properly and replace batteries or units as recommended by the manufacturer.

If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, make sure it’s appropriately inspected and maintained before regular use.

Don’t Forget the Plumbing

Cold weather can be particularly hard on exposed pipes.

Check areas such as unfinished basements, garages, crawl spaces, and exterior hose connections.

Disconnect garden hoses and follow the appropriate winterization steps for your home’s outdoor plumbing.

Make a Short List—Not a Giant One

The goal isn’t to spend every weekend working on your house.

Instead, create a short list of the things that deserve attention before winter arrives.

Taking care of a few small maintenance tasks now can make the colder months easier and help you stay ahead of problems.

The Bottom Line

Your home doesn’t need a complete overhaul every fall.

A little attention to gutters, heating, doors, windows, safety devices, and plumbing can go a long way toward getting your home ready for the season ahead.

And if you’re considering selling in the coming months, maintaining your home now can also help you avoid having small maintenance issues become part of a future buyer’s first impression.

Have questions about preparing your home for the next season—or thinking about making a move? A Coldwell Banker Hearthside agent is ready to help you navigate your next real estate decision.