Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for Central Ohio

Central Ohio's weather has a way of turning fast. One week it is still shorts and iced coffee, and a few weeks later there is frost on the windshield. The homes that head into winter in the best shape are usually the ones where a handful of simple maintenance tasks got done in September and October rather than getting rediscovered in January during a cold snap. None of this requires a big budget or a weekend of hard labor. Here is a practical rundown, broken into a few manageable categories.

Outside the House

Start outside while the weather still makes it pleasant to be out there. Clean the gutters and downspouts once most of the leaves have come down, or plan on doing it twice if you have a lot of mature trees. Clogged gutters in November tend to mean ice dams and water finding its way somewhere you do not want it in January. While you are up there, take a look at the roof for any loose or missing shingles and check the flashing around chimneys and vents.

• Clean gutters and downspouts, and confirm water is draining away from the foundation
• Inspect the roof and flashing for anything loose, cracked, or missing
• Trim tree branches that hang over the roof or sit close to power lines
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses, then shut off exterior spigots from the inside if your home has that option
• Seal cracks in the driveway or walkways before winter freeze-thaw cycles make them worse

Heating and Air

Central Ohio winters ask a lot of a furnace, so this is not the category to put off. Schedule a professional furnace inspection and change the filter if it has not been done recently. A furnace that has to work harder because of a clogged filter or a skipped tune-up tends to cost more to run and fail at the least convenient moment. If you have a fireplace you plan to use, get the chimney inspected and swept before the first fire of the season.

• Schedule a professional furnace inspection and replace the air filter
• Have the chimney inspected and swept if you use a wood-burning or gas fireplace
• Test the thermostat, including any smart thermostat scheduling, before you need it
• Reverse ceiling fans to run clockwise, which pushes warm air back down into the room

Sealing Up the House

A surprising amount of a winter heating bill escapes through small gaps most people never think to check. Walk the exterior of the house and look for gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes or cables enter the house, then reseal with caulk or new weatherstripping where needed. It is a small task that pays for itself quickly once the furnace is running daily.

• Caulk gaps around window and door frames
• Replace worn weatherstripping on exterior doors
• Check attic insulation levels and top off if they look thin

Safety Basics

Fall is also a natural checkpoint for the safety items that are easy to forget the rest of the year. Test every smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in the house, and replace batteries even if they still seem to be working. If your water heater or furnace is gas-powered, a working CO detector matters even more once windows start staying closed for the season.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries
• Check that your fire extinguisher is charged and easy to reach
• Locate your home's main water shutoff valve in case you need it in a hurry this winter

Bottom Line

A few focused weekends in September and October, covering gutters, HVAC, sealing, and safety basics, go a long way toward a smoother, less expensive winter. None of it is complicated, and most of it is easier to do now than after the first freeze.

Margaret Lipp | REMAX Premier Choice

Serving Upper Arlington, Dublin, Worthington, Clintonville, Hilliard, Powell, Grandview, and all Central Ohio communities

General home maintenance guidance for Central Ohio's climate. Specific systems, warranties, and manufacturer recommendations vary by home. Consult a licensed professional for HVAC, roofing, chimney, and electrical work.