Fall in Ontario is a good reminder that a little preparation around the home can go a long way.

As temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches, taking care of seasonal maintenance can help protect your home, keep important systems working efficiently and identify small issues before they become bigger ones.

Whether you’ve recently moved into a new home or have been settled in for years, here are some important areas to check this fall.

Start Outside

Before colder weather arrives, take some time to walk around the exterior of your home.

• Check your roof. Look for damaged or missing shingles, issues with flashing and areas around vents that may need attention.
• Clear eavestroughs and downspouts. Remove leaves and debris so rain and melting snow can drain properly away from your home.
• Inspect windows and doors. Check caulking, seals and weather stripping for signs of damage, gaps or wear that could allow air or water to enter.
• Look over exterior finishes. Keep an eye out for peeling paint, loose siding, cracks or other signs of deterioration.
• Prepare outdoor water lines. Drain exterior water lines and shut off the exterior water supply before freezing temperatures arrive.
• Prepare your landscaping. Clear fallen leaves and complete any seasonal yard work needed before winter.

Get Your Heating and Ventilation Systems Ready

Your home’s heating and ventilation systems will soon be working harder, making fall an ideal time to give them some attention.

• Clean or replace your furnace filter. A clean filter helps your system operate effectively and supports good airflow throughout your home.
• Check your HRV. If your home has a heat recovery ventilator, check and clean the unit and wash or replace its filter as recommended.
• Check your humidifier. Clean the unit and monitor your home’s humidity and condensation levels as the weather gets colder.
• Schedule servicing when needed. Tarion recommends having systems including the furnace, humidifier and HRV serviced as part of seasonal maintenance.

Always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions for the equipment installed in your home.

Check for Moisture

Fall is also a good opportunity to look for signs of unwanted moisture before winter.

Check basements, crawl spaces and attics, where applicable, for leaks, dampness or other signs of moisture. Around windows and doors, look for areas where water may be getting through the exterior seal.

As temperatures fall, pay attention to condensation as well. Proper indoor humidity levels can help reduce excess condensation during colder weather.

Make Safety Checks Part of Your Routine

Some of the simplest maintenance tasks are also among the most important.

Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. Tarion also recommends checking and resetting ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) as part of regular seasonal home maintenance.

If your home has a fireplace, fall is also a good time to inspect the fireplace and chimney damper and arrange cleaning when necessary.

Don’t Forget the Smaller Tasks

A few additional items are worth adding to your fall list:

• Check garage door tracks and lubricate bearings as required.
• Clean and test your clothes dryer vent.
• Inspect floor drains and make sure traps contain water.
• Review your water heater’s recommended maintenance.
• Check windows and screens for cracks, damage or separation.

Not every task will apply to every home, so consider your home’s specific systems, features and manufacturer recommendations when developing your seasonal routine.

A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way

Owning a home comes with ongoing care throughout the year. Building seasonal maintenance into your routine can make that responsibility much more manageable while helping protect the comfort, performance and condition of your home.

For Ontario homeowners, Tarion provides a helpful month-by-month resource covering recommended maintenance throughout September, October and November. Their checklist includes exterior, mechanical, moisture and safety items to consider as the seasons change.

View Tarion’s Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

At Lancaster Homes, we believe homeownership is about more than the day you receive your keys. It’s about enjoying and caring for the place you call home for years to come.