Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Your Minnesota Home Ready for Winter

September in Minnesota can still feel like summer one day and give us a preview of fall the next. That makes it a great time to start thinking about winter home maintenance, before the first freezing temperatures arrive.

You don’t need to tackle everything in one weekend. A few preventative tasks now can help protect your home and potentially prevent much more expensive problems later.

Clean Your Gutters

Once the leaves begin falling, gutters can fill surprisingly quickly.

When gutters and downspouts are clogged, water may not drain away from your home properly. Once temperatures drop below freezing, that trapped water can create additional problems.

Clean out leaves and debris and make sure your downspouts are directing water away from your foundation.

Have Your Heating System Checked

The middle of a Minnesota winter is not when you want to discover your furnace needs attention.

If your heating system is due for routine maintenance, fall is a good time to schedule it. You should also check your furnace filter and replace it if necessary.

It’s a simple task that’s easy to forget during warmer months.

Disconnect Your Garden Hoses

This one takes only a few minutes but can prevent a much bigger headache.

Before freezing temperatures arrive, disconnect garden hoses and take whatever winterization steps are appropriate for your home's exterior faucets and plumbing.

While you're outside, put away or protect other outdoor items that shouldn't spend the winter exposed to snow and ice.

Check Windows and Doors

Walk around your home and pay attention to windows and exterior doors.

Do you notice obvious drafts? Is weather stripping missing or deteriorating? Are there areas that need caulk or another minor repair?

Taking care of those issues now can make your home more comfortable when the temperature drops.

Look at Your Roof and Exterior

You don't necessarily need to climb onto the roof yourself. Simply walk around your property and look for anything that seems out of place.

Missing or damaged shingles, loose siding, damaged trim, or other exterior issues are generally easier to address before snow and ice arrive.

Start Now, Not When the Forecast Says Snow

Fall home maintenance isn't particularly exciting, but that's also the point. You're taking care of small things before they become big things.

Pick one or two tasks each weekend this fall. By the time Minnesota winter arrives, you'll be glad you did.