Seasonal Home Maintenance: Your Fall Checklist
Fall is the most important prep season of the year. What you handle now protects your home from winter weather, late-season storms and repair bills that could have been avoided. This page updates every quarter, so bookmark it.
Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
- Clean gutters and downspouts. Clear leaves after they drop and extend downspouts away from the foundation.
- Service your HVAC before heating season. Change filters and schedule a tune-up so your heat pump or furnace is ready for the first cold snap.
- Weatherproof windows and doors. Replace worn weather stripping and re-caulk around frames to stop drafts.
- Winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation. Shut off and drain hose bibs, store hoses inside and blow out sprinkler lines.
- Patch driveways and walkways. Fill cracks in concrete and asphalt before freeze-thaw cycles widen them.
- Fireplace and chimney check. Have the chimney inspected and cleaned before the first fire, and make sure the damper seals.
- Test smoke and CO detectors. Replace batteries and test every unit before you close up the house for winter.
- Insulate exposed pipes. Wrap pipes in crawl spaces, garages and other unheated areas.
- Lawn and garden prep. Fertilize for winter, then clean and store outdoor furniture, grills and summer tools.
Small jobs now prevent the expensive ones later: clogged gutters that rot fascia boards, frozen hose bibs that burst inside the wall and a heat pump that quits on the coldest night of the year.
Maintenance also protects your equity. When it’s time to sell, a well-kept home inspects better, appraises better and negotiates better.
What Coastal Virginia Homes Need This Fall
Hurricane season runs through November 30
Clear gutters and yard debris, check your sump pump and know your evacuation zone at vaemergency.gov.
Nor’easter prep
Fall and winter nor’easters bring wind-driven rain and tidal flooding. Check roof flashing and seal gaps at windows and doors.
Crawl space moisture
Hampton Roads humidity lingers into fall. Check vapor barriers, vents and any dehumidifier before winter.
Review your insurance
Confirm your homeowners and flood coverage before storm season ends. Flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period.
The Year-Round Maintenance Calendar
This page changes with the season. Here’s a preview of what’s next.
December–February
Monthly filter changes, insulation check, drafts, exterior lighting and ice prep.
March–May
Roof and gutter check after winter, AC service, foundation and drainage, termite swarm season.
June–August
Deck and patio care, pest sealing, water heater flush, hurricane kit and screens.
Home Maintenance: Frequently Asked Questions
How often does this checklist change?
Every season. I update this page four times a year, so bookmark it and check back each quarter.
When is hurricane season in Virginia?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the most activity from August through October.
Does regular maintenance affect my home’s value?
Yes. Buyers, inspectors and appraisers notice deferred maintenance. Routine upkeep protects your equity and makes inspections easier when you sell.
Can you recommend local contractors?
Yes. I keep a list of trusted local pros for HVAC, roofing, gutters, pest control and more. Just ask.
Want My List of Trusted Local Pros?
HVAC, roofing, gutters, pest control, handymen and more. Ask anytime, whether you bought with me or not.
Tiffany Mosby, Realtor | Team Leader · 757-755-5625 · tiffanymosbyrealtor@gmail.com
Epique Realty · Office 888-893-3537 · VA License 0225251677 · Equal Housing Opportunity. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Checklist is general guidance. Follow manufacturer instructions and hire licensed professionals for electrical, gas, roofing and HVAC work.