Maintenance by season · Last checked: October 21, 2026

Fall home maintenance checklist September–November

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Timing depends on where you live. Freeze-related jobs are tied to your area's average first and last frost dates: look up your frost dates or ask your local National Weather Service office or Extension service.

September Early fall

• ☐ Clean gutters before the leaves really start falling. [23] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Have the heating system checked, and run the heat briefly before you need it. [2]
• ☐ Fireplace or wood stove? Have the chimney inspected and swept by a professional once a year. [4] [36] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Seal gaps where pipes and wires enter the house. [25] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Clean the range hood grease filters. [32] If you find a problem →

October Leaves and the first frost

• ☐ Before your first frost: remove, drain and store hoses. Close the inside valve to each outdoor faucet, then open the outdoor faucet to drain. [12] Look up your average frost dates ↗ Guide → If you find a problem →
• ☐ Smoke alarms: replace batteries once a year, including the backup battery in hardwired alarms. Replace any alarm 10 years after its manufacture date. [3] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Check that vents are clear: [5] [11] [32] [36] If you find a problem →
  • ☐ Furnace and water heater vent pipes outside: no leaves, nests or debris
  • ☐ Range hood filters clean
  • ☐ Dryer: air comes out and the flap opens
  • ☐ Fireplace: chimney inspected this year
• ☐ Drain the sprinkler system. Find its brand, then follow that maker's winterizing steps. [37] Look up your average frost dates ↗ If you find a problem →
• ☐ Store the mower and small engines for winter: stabilized fuel, clean deck, battery out of riding mowers. [39] If you find a problem →

November Colder nights

• ☐ Insulate exposed pipes in the garage, attic, crawl space and under cabinets on outside walls. [12] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Do a final gutter cleaning once most leaves are down. [23] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Seal drafts around doors and windows. [25] [26] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Refresh the storm kit for winter weather. [22]
• ☐ Remind everyone where the water shutoff and the shelter spot are.

Every month, all season

• ☐ Check the HVAC filter. Change it if it looks dirty, and at least every 3 months. [1] [2] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Press the test button on every smoke alarm. [3] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Check CO alarms the way the maker's instructions say. [5]
• ☐ Test GFCI outlets: press TEST, then RESET. [8] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Look under sinks and around the water heater and toilets for drips. [15] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Clean the dryer lint filter every load. [11] If you find a problem →

Sources (fetched and checked October 21, 2026)

1. ENERGY STAR, Heat & Cool Efficiently
2. ENERGY STAR, Maintenance Checklist
3. U.S. Fire Administration, Smoke Alarms
4. U.S. Fire Administration, Heating Fire Safety
5. U.S. Fire Administration, Carbon Monoxide Safety flyer (PDF)
8. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, GFCI Fact Sheet (PDF)
11. Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Clothes Dryer Care
12. American Red Cross, Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes
15. U.S. EPA WaterSense, Home Maintenance (leaks)
22. Ready.gov, Build a Kit
23. U.S. Dept. of Energy, Building Science Education: Stormwater Gutters and Downspouts
25. U.S. Dept. of Energy, Insulation and Air-Sealing Essentials
26. U.S. Dept. of Energy, Weatherization Job Aids: Install Weatherstripping on an Exterior Door (PDF)
32. GE Appliances, Vent Hood: Cleaning Metal Grease Filters
36. Chimney Safety Institute of America, Homeowner Resources
37. Rain Bird, Tips for Winterizing Your Sprinkler System
39. Briggs & Stratton, Storing Your Mower & Outdoor Power Equipment