There’s something special about fall in Utah: the changing leaves, crisp mornings, and cooler evenings are a welcome change after summer. But those cooler temperatures are also a reminder that winter isn’t far behind.

Taking care of a few home-maintenance projects now can help protect your home, improve energy efficiency, and potentially prevent costly repairs once freezing temperatures and snow arrive. Here are eight items homeowners should consider adding to their fall checklist:

1. Service Your HVAC System
You don’t want to discover a furnace problem on the first truly cold night of the year. Fall is an ideal time to have your heating system inspected and serviced.
Replace or clean your furnace filter and consider having an HVAC professional check the system before you begin relying on it every day. Regular maintenance can help your system operate more efficiently and may also identify smaller problems before they become expensive repairs.

2. Clean Your Gutters
Those beautiful fall leaves have a way of ending up exactly where you don’t want them, inside your gutters. Leaves, twigs, and other debris can prevent water from draining properly. As temperatures drop, trapped water can freeze and contribute to ice buildup. Before winter arrives, clear your gutters and downspouts and make sure water can flow freely away from your home.

3. Inspect Your Roof
Your roof is one of your home’s most important defenses against Utah’s winter weather.
Take a look for missing, loose, curled, or damaged shingles, and watch for other signs that repairs may be needed. Addressing a small roofing issue in the fall is generally much easier than discovering a leak after snow and ice have arrived.
If you aren’t comfortable inspecting the roof yourself, consider having a qualified roofing professional take a look.

4. Check Windows and Doors
Small gaps around windows and exterior doors can let cold air in and warm air out, making your home less comfortable and potentially increasing heating costs.
Walk around your home and check for noticeable drafts. Worn weatherstripping can be replaced, and appropriate gaps or cracks may be sealed with caulk. Don't forget less-obvious areas such as basement windows and doors leading into the garage.

5. Winterize Outdoor Plumbing
This is an easy fall project to overlook—and one you’ll be glad you completed before freezing temperatures arrive. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, prepare exterior faucets for winter as appropriate for your home, and shut off exterior water valves when applicable. If you have a sprinkler system, follow the proper winterization procedure for your particular system.

We have very PERSONAL experience with this exact item. One winter we forgot to disconnect a hose and boy did we pay the price come spring!! The line going into the house froze and when we eventually turned on the water it came streaming into our basement. UGH…. Lots of clean up and one huge lesson that we have never forgotten. Sometimes in life we have to learn things the hard way.

6. Prune Trees and Shrubs
Heavy snow and winter winds can put additional stress on damaged or overgrown branches.

Fall is a good time to look for dead, damaged, or potentially hazardous branches, particularly those near your home, roof, driveway, or other structures. Larger trees or difficult-to-reach branches are best evaluated and handled by a qualified tree professional.

7. Prepare Your Fireplace
A warm fire is one of the best parts of a cold Utah evening, but your fireplace and chimney should be ready before you use them.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, consider having the fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned as needed. Gas fireplaces should also be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
And while you’re thinking about fire safety, fall is a convenient time to test smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms and replace batteries when needed.

8. Stock Up on Winter-Ready Supplies
The first major snowstorm is not the ideal time to discover that your snow shovel broke last winter.
Take inventory of your cold-weather supplies now. Depending on your home and vehicles, that might include snow shovels, an ice scraper, driveway-safe ice melt, winter windshield washer fluid, and other supplies you regularly use during Utah winters.

A Little Preparation Now Can Make Winter Easier

Homeownership comes with plenty of responsibilities, but seasonal maintenance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Working through a few projects at a time can help you head into winter knowing your home is better prepared for colder temperatures, snow, and ice.

And if one of these projects uncovers something that needs professional attention, we’re happy to help connect you with trusted local service providers.
At Rider Real Estate, we believe our job goes well beyond helping you buy or sell a house. We want to continue being a resource for you long after the keys have changed hands.

Kristin & Craig Fritzsche
Rider Real Estate
801-554-3760/kristinandcraig@riderre.com/www.riderre.com
Service For Life
Real Estate is the transaction. Relationships are the business.

Thinking about buying or selling a home in Sandy, Salt Lake County, or elsewhere in Utah? We’d love to be a resource for youwh, ether you’re ready to make a move now or you’re simply planning for the future.