The ultimate fall home maintenance checklist for Canadians

2026 fall home maintenance checklist

1. Clean your eavestroughs
2. Trim the trees
3. Declutter the outside
4. Check the stability of railings
5. Inspect the caulking
6. Check the weatherstripping
7. Seal gaps from critters
8. Book a chimney cleaning
9. Schedule a furnace check-up
10. Replace your furnace filter
11. Shut off exterior water hoses and taps
12. Clean dryer vents
13. Stock up on winter tools and supplies
14. Check safety devices

1. Clean your eavestroughs

Eavestroughs and downspouts can easily get blocked with leaves, birds’ nests, and other debris, which can cause backups and lead to flooding. The Government of Canada reports the average cost to repair a flooded basement is $40,000. That’s a steep price to pay compared to the maintenance costs of cleaning your gutters. If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are several service companies available you can hire. 

Also read: Cleaning Eavestroughs and downspouts: A DIY guide to save money

2. Trim the trees

Let the beautiful fall colours force you to take a closer look at the trees and shrubs that surround your property. If a branch is bare where it should have leaves, it may be dead, and it’s best to cut it off. If a branch breaks during the winter months, it can damage your eaves or, worse, crash through a window. That’s an expensive repair with no cheap and easy fix. 

You can hire a pruning service that knows what’s best for the tree and can also reach higher, hard-to-get-at branches. Also, if you can, trim branches away from eavestroughs so it’s less work to clean them in the first place. 

Also read: Will your insurance cover damage from fallen trees?

3. Declutter the outside

Part of fall maintenance is sweeping around your home, raking the yard, and bringing in toys, umbrellas, and patio cushions to prepare for colder weather. Cleaning up the ground makes it easier to spot areas that may need concrete patching around your home’s foundation. If you skip this step, there’s a risk rodents could enter your property during winter to look for warmth, or that snowmelt could seep into your house come springtime. 

4. Check the stability of railings

Walk around your property and shake fences and railings, and stomp on deck boards. Snow can quickly turn into slippery ice, and people need to know they can grab a railing for support. If not, you may be relying on your home insurance policy's liability coverage to protect you. If someone slips and falls and there is no railing to grab, they could sue. If you’re unsure of what your property insurance covers, it’s a good time to review your policy.

Also read: Increase your personal liability coverage with umbrella insurance

5. Inspect the caulking

Caulking goes around windows and doors, sinks, toilets, and bathtubs in your home. It creates a weather- and waterproof seal to keep water away from walls and cold air from entering your house.  Caulking lasts anywhere from 5 to 20 years. Your fall maintenance check is a great time to look for holes in the caulking and call a service to have it redone as needed. It can also make a huge difference in your home heating bill.

Also read: How to save money on home energy costs

6. Check weatherstripping

Do you feel a draft around your doors and windows? If so, the weatherstripping may be old and need replacement. Weatherstripping is adhesive-backed foam that creates a tight seal between the door or window and its frame. It typically lasts about 1 to 3 years and saves you money by keeping the warm air in and the cold air out. 

To check if it needs to be replaced, on a particularly cool and windy day, run the palm of your hand about an inch away and around the perimeter to feel the wind coming in. Alternatively, at night, run a flashlight around the edge; if any light comes through, it’s time to replace your weatherstripping. This is a job you can do on your own. 

7. Seal gaps from critters

Rats and mice are house guests you want to avoid. They’re nocturnal and can freak you out when they run through your walls while you’re trying to sleep. Mice can get through holes smaller than a dime, so look for any holes in the brick mortar or where the brick meets the concrete foundation. Yes, both mice and rats can climb walls. If the mortar between the bricks is flaking or is pitted, consider getting it tuck-pointed for a secure seal. Critters can also chew through spray foam, so while it’s easy to use, it may not be a long-term solution. 

Most standard home insurance policies won’t cover damage caused by rodents, as it’s seen as a preventable issue. So it is essential to protect your home from mice and rats, especially during your fall maintenance check to prepare for the cold months ahead.

8. Book a chimney cleaning

A chemical buildup of creosote is terrible for a few reasons. It can cause a foul odour, and it prevents your chimney from venting correctly, which can lead to health concerns. Hire a chimney company to clean the flue. Ask if they can inspect the brick and mortar for any defects and check the chimney cap to keep water and snow from getting inside; otherwise, you risk water damage inside your home.

9. Schedule a furnace check-up

Make sure you have access to heat, especially in the dead of winter. Sure, you can cover up with sweaters and blankets, but what about the water running in your pipes? If it freezes, a pipe could burst, causing substantial water damage and costly emergency plumbing repairs. Your home insurance will cover a burst pipe if it happens suddenly and by accident, but filing a claim could raise your premiums, which you likely want to avoid. Scheduling a furnace checkup will ensure it’s running efficiently and ready to keep you and your pipes warm.

10. Replace your furnace filter

A dirty furnace filter is one of the main reasons a furnace overheats and fails. So, you should be swapping out your filter every quarter, and it’s something you can easily do yourself. 

Pro tip: When you pull out the old filter, take a picture of its orientation and size before you throw it out, so you know the right size to buy and which way the new one goes in. Walk into your home store of choice, or you can buy one online.

11. Shut off exterior water hoses and taps

This tip is for the water supply outside your home, which you may use to water your garden. By shutting off the taps and clearing the hoses of water, you can prevent the freeze from getting deep into the house, which may cause water damage from burst pipes or thawing ice outside. If you can, shut off the supply to only that pipe. If not, it’s worth it to have a plumber install a shutoff just to that supply line since you don’t want to shut off water to your whole house. 

12. Clean dryer vents

The fall is crisp and dry, which creates static electricity that can ignite built-up lint inside your dryer vent pipe. Even if you clean your dryer's lint trap every time you use it, lint can still get through the filter. Remove the ducting from the back of the dryer and clean as much as you can by hand. You can use a vacuum to get even more out. Step outside and remove any lint buildup from where it exits your home. It's also a good place for a critter to get in, so make sure it’s protected from entry. 

13. Stock up on winter tools and supplies

You know what sucks? The beautiful first snowfall, juxtaposed with your efforts to climb around your lawnmower. Picture this: you, balancing like a gymnast, to reach the snow shovel and bag of salt from under your kids’ picnic table. To avoid this scenario, use the fall to get organized and ensure your tools are within reach when you need them. Make sure your shovels and ice scrapers are in good condition and put them in an easily accessible spot. You should also buy salt now so you don’t pay extra for it during the peak winter months. Also, put the salt in a container for easy access. You’ll thank yourself later.

14. Check safety devices

It doesn’t have to be during the fall, but since you’re already in full maintenance mode, it’s worth checking the status of your fire alarms, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure to look for the expiry date. There’s usually a “test” button to test the 9V battery, but if there isn’t, buy a new 9V and put it in, because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

The bottom line

Owning a home can be expensive and often comes with a lot of work. However, completing a fall maintenance checklist is an essential part of homeownership that can reduce potential costly risks down the road. Use this list now and sit comfortably knowing you’re less likely to file a home insurance claim this season. When it's time to renew your policy, having a well-maintained home and a clean claims history could help you secure a lower rate. If you’re looking to save on insurance, remember to compare quotes and shop around to find the best price. 

Also read

• How to prevent water damage to your home in winter 
• Should you buy flood insurance 
• How to save money on home energy costs