Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall in Ontario can turn into cold weather quickly. A few simple jobs around your home this season can help you head into the colder months with fewer things left hanging over your head.

Not sure where to start? Here are seven fall home maintenance tasks worth getting done before the first freeze.

And if you'd rather hand off some of the list, explore OnCallable home services to find the service you need and see your price upfront.

1. Clear your gutters and downspouts

Once most of the leaves have fallen, clear leaves, twigs and other debris from your gutters and downspouts.

Clear gutters help rainwater and melting snow drain away properly instead of getting backed up by debris. It's a particularly important job to tackle before freezing temperatures arrive.

When should you clean your gutters in Ontario?

Fall is a good time to clear them once most leaves have dropped and before consistent freezing temperatures arrive.

Not comfortable getting up on a ladder? This is one fall job that's easy to hand off to a Pro.

2. Give your yard its final cleanup

Before putting the lawn equipment away, give your outdoor space one last reset.

Depending on your property, that could include:

• One final mow
• Clearing fallen leaves
• Tidying garden beds
• Cutting back plants where appropriate
• Trimming hedges and shrubs
• General yard cleanup

Getting it done now means less mess sitting under snow through the colder months and a better starting point when spring comes around.

3. Check doors and windows for drafts

Walk around your home and check exterior doors and windows for noticeable drafts, gaps or worn seals.

Weatherstripping can deteriorate over time. If you notice cold air coming through around a closed door or window, check whether the seal or weatherstripping needs to be repaired or replaced.

It's a small job that becomes much more noticeable once the heating is running every day.

4. Disconnect outdoor hoses and prepare your taps

This takes a few minutes and is one of the easiest fall maintenance jobs to forget.

Disconnect garden hoses, drain them and store them somewhere protected for the season. Depending on the type of outdoor faucet and plumbing your home has, additional cold weather preparation may also be needed before temperatures drop below freezing.

The best time to think about frozen outdoor plumbing is before the freezing weather arrives.

5. Get the small repairs off your list

You know the list.

The sticking door. The loose shelf. The cabinet that needs adjusting. The light fixture you meant to replace months ago.

Instead of carrying those jobs into another season, group them together and get them handled at once.

If your list is getting longer, browse OnCallable handyman services to see what you can hand off instead of losing another weekend to it.

6. Walk around the outside of your home

Take ten minutes and walk around your property this fall.

Look around:

• Exterior doors and windows
• Steps and railings
• Exterior fixtures
• Visible seals and gaps
• Other areas exposed to rain, snow and freezing temperatures

You're not trying to perform a professional home inspection. You're simply looking for visible problems that are easier to address now than when everything is covered in snow.

7. Get the inside ready for the season

Once colder weather arrives, you'll naturally spend more time indoors.

Use fall as an opportunity to take care of the jobs that make the house feel ready for the season ahead: minor repairs, high-traffic areas, entryways, cleaning and anything else you've been putting off.

A few jobs now can make the transition into the colder months feel a lot less chaotic.

Quick fall home maintenance checklist

Before the first freeze in Ontario, homeowners should consider:

• Clearing gutters and downspouts
• Completing the final lawn and yard cleanup
• Checking doors and windows for drafts
• Replacing worn weatherstripping where needed
• Disconnecting and draining outdoor hoses
• Preparing outdoor faucets for freezing temperatures
• Checking the exterior for visible damage
• Completing small indoor repairs

What home maintenance should I do in the fall in Ontario?

The most important fall home maintenance jobs are generally the ones that prepare your home and property for colder and freezing temperatures. That includes clearing gutters, finishing seasonal yard work, checking doors and windows for drafts, disconnecting outdoor hoses and taking care of repairs before the cold sets in.

When should I start fall home maintenance?

Start while temperatures are still mild and work through the list as the season progresses. Yard cleanup and gutter clearing may need to wait until most leaves have fallen, while outdoor hoses, drafts and repairs can be dealt with earlier.

The goal is simple: don't wait for the first freeze to start working through the list.

Can I hire someone to complete my fall home maintenance?

Yes. Tasks such as yard cleanup, gutter cleaning and many smaller handyman jobs can be handled by home service professionals.

With OnCallable, you choose the service you need, see your price upfront, and we help you connect with a verified Pro.

No wondering who is coming to your home. Every Pro on OnCallable must complete identity verification first.

Your fall list isn't going to get any shorter.

Get the jobs you've been putting off moving before colder weather arrives.

See your price