Each year, fall seems to come and go in the blink of an eye. It can feel like it goes from cool evenings and a faint smell of pumpkin spice to snow days and slippery sidewalks before you even have time to put on a toque. When it comes to your home, taking a little time to get prepared in the warmer weather could save you some headaches when winter starts blowing in. Wondering what kind of home maintenance tasks you need to do to get your property ready for fall and winter? Consider these tips:
 

1. Clean out your eavestroughs and downspouts. Both are meant to direct water away from your home to prevent leaks all year long — but they can’t do that if they’re damaged or clogged with leaves or other debris. Fall is a good time to remove all debris and repair or replace any damaged sections.
    

2. Turn off your outdoor water supply and drain exterior pipes, faucets, and hoses to prevent freezing. Close your shut-off valve, disconnect your hose, and drain the hose and pipe. If you have an in-ground irrigation or sprinkler system, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions to drain it too.
    

3. Get your wood burning fireplace and chimney in order. This means having them professionally inspected and cleaned, as well as making sure the area surrounding your fireplace is set up for a safe burning season.
    

4. Prepare your home’s heating system for the season. This could include:

• Calling in a professional if your furnace is due for an inspection or tune-up (check the owner’s manual to find out when this should be done).

• Replacing any filters that might still be dirty from last winter.

• Dusting all heating vents and making sure they’re clear of obstructions like furniture, carpeting, or curtains.

• Re-programming your smart thermostat.

• Making eco-friendly updates to save energy and lower your heating bills.
   

5. Test or replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home.
    

6. Reverse your ceiling fans. Many ceiling fans can be set up to change direction (from counterclockwise to clockwise) and run on a lower speed in the fall, which allows warm air to be pushed down from the ceiling. This can help you save energy and money.
    

7. Re-seal drafty windows and doors. Keep the warm air inside and the cool air outside by re-caulking around window and door casings (if needed), as well as checking the weather stripping on your doors.
    

8. Get your roof in shape for snow-load season. Have a professional thoroughly inspect your roof (inside and out) and have any damaged areas repaired before the snow starts.
    

9. Cut and clear your lawn. Long grass and piles of leaves can make perfect nests for insects and rodents. Plus, if snow falls before you have a chance to cut your lawn and clear away the leaves, it can lead to snow mould and other fungal issues. When it’s time for the last lawn-mowing of the year (after your lawn has stopped growing), lower your blades one notch and go for a shorter cut. It’s okay to leave some grass clippings on the lawn itself, but you’ll want to clear away any large piles of leaves and other debris, paying special attention to the areas surrounding your home’s foundation.
    

10. Clean and prep your barbecue. Some people assume that grilling season is over once the snow starts to fall, but properly maintaining your barbecue can extend its life and reduce fire hazards.
     

11. Repair cracks in your home’s foundation. You can usually do this from the inside, rather than having to dig around the outside of your foundation. This can help protect your basement from flooding when the snow starts to melt next spring.
     

12. Turn off the breaker to your air conditioning. Even though you won’t be turning on your air conditioning during the colder fall and winter months, a small amount of power is still going to travel to your air conditioner. Turning off the breaker saves energy and will deter rodents looking for a warm place to nest.
     

If you're a current OTIP home insurance policyholder and your fall home maintenance finds you making any major changes to your property, contact us at 1-833-494-0088 to make sure you have the coverage you need during and after your renovations. If you’re not insured with OTIP and are shopping for home insurance, call us at 1-833-615-9328 to get a quote and receive a $20 gift card of your choice! When you get a quote before October 31st, you will also be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card from Mark's.