🍂 Fall Home Maintenance Tips
A quick, practical checklist for Central Pennsylvania homeowners to protect your home, reduce energy costs, and avoid surprise repairs as temperatures drop.
Quick Checklist
- ✓ Clean gutters and downspouts — Prevent ice dams and foundation washout by removing leaves and ensuring downspouts discharge 4–6 feet from the house.
- ✓ Check & service the HVAC system — Replace filters now and schedule a heating tune-up to boost efficiency and catch issues early.
- ✓ Inspect the roof & flashing — Look for loose or missing shingles and cracked flashing around chimneys/vents before freeze–thaw cycles set in.
- ✓ Drain and store hoses; shut off outdoor faucets — Close interior shutoffs to exterior spigots and open the outside valves to release trapped water.
- ✓ Seal drafts — Refresh weather-stripping and caulking around doors/windows to improve comfort and cut heating costs.
- ✓ Test smoke & CO detectors — Replace batteries and confirm devices are less than 10 years old; add detectors near sleeping areas.
- ✓ Inspect chimney & fireplace — If you burn wood, book a Level-1 sweep and check the cap and damper for safe, efficient operation.
Safety first: hire licensed pros for work involving roofs, chimneys, gas, or electrical systems.
Why These Tasks Matter in Central PA
Our region’s leaf drop and freeze–thaw cycles can clog drainage, create roof leaks, and stress heating systems. A few low-cost steps now usually save money—and headaches—when winter arrives.
Download & Share
Want this checklist as a printable one-pager for your fridge or to share with a neighbor?
Pro tip: snap photos while completing each task (filters, gutters, roof checks). A maintenance log helps with insurance, resale, and peace of mind.