Fall home maintenance checklist for Ontario homes

The fall jobs that matter most in an Ontario house are the ones that keep water out and heat in. Clear the gutters, drain the outdoor plumbing, seal the drafts, change the furnace filter and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Below is the full list we work from, split into outside, inside and getting ready for snow.

Outside the house

• Clean the gutters and downspouts once most of the leaves have fallen.
• Check that downspouts drain at least a few feet away from the foundation. Add extensions where they don’t.
• Look over the roof from the ground with binoculars for lifted or missing shingles and damaged flashing.
• Drain and cover the outdoor faucets and shut down the sprinkler system. Our guide on winterizing outdoor faucets walks through it.
• Re-caulk gaps around windows, doors and where pipes and wires go through the walls.
• Clean, cover or store the patio furniture and the barbecue.
• Cover only the top of the outdoor air conditioner unit, if at all. A full wrap traps moisture inside.
• Trim branches that hang over the roof or touch the siding.

Inside the house

• Change or clean the furnace filter, then check it every month while the heat is on.
• Book a furnace service if it hasn’t been looked at in the past year.
• Test every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm and replace the batteries. In Ontario, homes need working smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas, and carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas if the house has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage.
• Replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Test the sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit.
• Clean the dryer vent all the way to the outside.
• Reverse ceiling fans so they turn clockwise at low speed and push warm air down.
• Check the bathroom fans and the kitchen range hood. Both carry moisture out of the house all winter.

Getting ready for snow

• Start the snow blower, change the oil if it is due and add fresh fuel.
• Put shovels, ice melt and a roof rake where you can reach them.
• Mark the edges of the driveway and the garden beds with stakes before the first snowfall.
• Hang holiday lights while the weather is dry, and use clips instead of nails or staples.
• Read our post on preventing ice dams if your roof got icicles last winter.

Signs to look for while you work

Fall maintenance is also the best time to notice small problems before they turn into winter repairs. Watch for soft or stained wood around windows, cracks in the foundation, water marks in the basement, and condensation that won’t clear from the inside of the windows. Our post on window condensation explains what that last one means.

Prefer to hand it off?

Our fall home maintenance package covers the roof and chimney check, gutters and leaves, weatherstripping and door sweeps, the furnace filter, window caulking, the sprinkler and outdoor plumbing, and getting the lawn and snow gear ready. If you want someone keeping an eye on the house all year, look at our yearly home maintenance plans.

Fall maintenance questions

When should I do fall maintenance in Ontario?

Between late September and mid November. Gutters are best left until most leaves are down, but outdoor plumbing has to be done before the first hard frost.

How often should I change the furnace filter?

Check it every month during the heating season. A basic one-inch filter usually needs replacing every one to three months. Follow the furnace and filter manufacturer for the exact interval.

Should I cover my air conditioner for the winter?

A cover over the top keeps leaves and ice off the unit. Wrapping the whole unit can trap moisture and invite rust and rodents, so leave the sides open.

What does a fall maintenance visit include?

Ours includes the roof and chimney check, gutters, weatherstripping, the furnace filter, window caulking and outdoor plumbing. The fall package page lists every job and the price.