The 10 Most Important Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

Fall is an ideal time to tackle a slew of home maintenance tasks, many of which can help make your home safer and more comfortable for the colder months ahead. And with Thumbtack, a home services app used by millions, you can easily find and hire top-rated local professionals to help with all your home maintenance needs.

From hiring a leaf removal service to keep your lawn clear to finding an HVAC technician to make any necessary repairs before winter rolls in, here are 10 fall home maintenance tasks you can’t afford to skip.

1. Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters helps ensure they won’t leak water into your home or collapse during a bad storm or rough winter. This involves removing any leaves and debris, checking for damage and addressing repairs before the end of the season. Failing to clean your gutters can cause water damage, roof damage, ice formation and pest problems, among other issues.

Homeowners should hire a professional gutter cleaning service to do the job for them. Getting up on a ladder can be dangerous for homeowners, which is why it's safer to get a professional who has both experience and insurance; they also have the proper equipment to safely remove clogs.

Related: How much does professional gutter cleaning cost?

2. Winterize Your Sprinklers

If you have sprinklers and live in a colder climate, you’ll want to winterize them to protect the system’s pipes/valves from the cold. Once you’re no longer using your sprinkler system, drain out the water and insulate your sprinkler system to prepare it for below-freezing temperatures and winter weather.

If you’re not familiar with your sprinkler system or not comfortable tackling it on your own, or if you find any damages that need to be repaired, it’s best to hire a professional to winterize your sprinklers for you.

3. Service Your HVAC System

Before cold temperatures and winter storms hit, service your HVAC system to ensure it’s in proper shape. If you don’t hire a professional to test your heating system, check and change your filters and clean out your ventilation system, you might end up with a failing system during the coldest time of the year.

HVAC systems should be serviced annually. Call an HVAC professional who can evaluate the health of your system and help make repairs if necessary.

Related: How much does it cost to have your HVAC system serviced?

4. Cold-Proof Your Plumbing

The last issue you want to run into in the dead of winter is a cold shower when you’re trying to warm up. When temperatures drop below freezing, outside faucets and in-ground irrigation systems can freeze or burst, so close shut-off valves and open outside faucets to drain the line before winter comes. Additionally, look for any leaks, test water pressure and temperature, ensure pipes are insulated and add covers to exterior faucets.

Homeowners can cold-proof their plumbing themselves, but it’s best to hire a plumbing professional — especially if you need to make repairs.

Related: How much does it cost to hire a plumber?

5. Inspect Your Roof

A damaged roof could lead to major issues within your home, from water damage and mold growth to electrical issues and rotting wood. These problems can become even more costly down the line if not fixed early. Issues to look out for include:

• Missing shingles.
• Cracking.
• Splitting or curling.
• Signs of moss, mildew, and algae.
• Slashing and sealing around vents and skylights.

Consider hiring a roofing professional to run an inspection or make any repairs needed. A roofing expert can flag and repair any damages before the winter months wreak more havoc.

Related: How much a professional roof inspection cost?

6. Touch Up The Exterior

Before it gets too cold outside, give a paint or sealer touch-up to any exterior surfaces, such as trim, wooden floors and porch steps. This will help protect the surfaces from ice and snow and keep your home looking fresh and clean.

Call on a professional painter, or if you need more extensive siding repairs, contact a siding contractor/professional to ensure your exterior is ready for the colder days ahead. These professionals have the experience to do the job well while saving you time and keeping you from potential danger, as you’d have to climb a ladder to reach high spots when painting or fixing your home’s siding.

Related: How much does it cost to paint a house?

7. Clean Your Fireplace And Chimney

Before you use your fireplace during the colder months, hire a professional to clean out soot, debris and creosote to prevent chimney fires. Clear any obstructions, like a buildup of leaves, around the chimney’s exterior; and check for cracks or damage to your chimney cap so moisture and critters don’t get into your home.

Additionally, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends getting your fireplace and chimney inspected at least once a year by a chimney sweeping professional, so they can help prevent chimney fires.

Related: How much does professional chimney sweeping cost?

8. Test Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as a precaution to help prevent an emergency. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), you should replace your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors’ batteries each year. Additionally, install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home and outside sleeping areas and install smoke alarms in every bedroom.

If you have concerns about allergens, pollutants, or harmful gasses, you can get professional air quality testing to cover your bases. Air quality testing professionals can help detect carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds, mold and other harmful pollutants. If air quality comes back with high levels of any of the above offenders, the professionals will then work to fix the problem.

Related: How much does professional air quality testing cost?

9. Maintain Your Lawn

Maintaining your lawn is not just important for aesthetic reasons but for the overall health of your yard and plants. Tasks like raking/removing leaves and mowing and fertilizing your lawn can help keep your yard healthy and thriving — preparing it for the winter so it’s in great shape for spring.

Homeowners can hire a professional lawn care service to help with routine maintenance and other lawn care tasks such as aeration and leaf removal.

Related: How much does it cost to hire a professional lawn care service?

10. Seal Air Leaks

Gaps around windows and doors can let out heat — an issue you don’t want to battle during cold winter months. Inspect weatherstripping and caulking around doors, windows, vents, and foundation seals, and seal up any air leaks you find to keep your home warm through the winter.

While homeowners can identify air leaks on their own, it’s best to hire a professional window sealer to seal the leaks for you, as it’s easy to miss a leak if you lack the professional experience to get the job done right.

Tackle Your To-Do List With Thumbtack

Preparing your home for a cold and stormy winter can be overwhelming — but Thumbtack can help. Finding and hiring a pro for nearly any task is as simple as selecting the type of service you need and inputting your zip code.

Each professional has their own profile and information like reviews and specialties, so browse your options and consider your needs as a homeowner. You can contact and book pros directly through the Thumbtack app.

Ready to tackle your fall home maintenance checklist? Get started on Thumbtack to find professionals in your area.

*A note about project costs linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.