Getting Your Home Ready for Fall: A Southwestern Ontario Homeowner’s Guide

Back-to-school season is here, which means it’s time to trade flip-flops for sweaters, iced coffee for pumpkin spice, and summer home projects for a little fall maintenance.

Here in Oxford County and throughout Southwestern Ontario, fall is one of the best times of year to give your home a little attention before winter arrives.

And while winter might still feel a long way off when the grass is green, Ontario winters have a funny way of showing up before we're quite ready for them.

A few hours of maintenance now can save you from a very unpleasant — and potentially expensive — phone call to a plumber, roofer or HVAC technician in January.

So, before the school-year routines get completely underway, here’s my fall home maintenance checklist for Southwestern Ontario homeowners.

1. Start at the top: Check your roof

Your roof works hard all year, but fall is an excellent time to give it a closer look.

You don't necessarily need to climb onto the roof yourself. In fact, unless you know what you're doing, please don't. A pair of binoculars from the ground, a shot from your drone cam, or some cell phone photos from a long extension pole can tell you quite a bit.

Look for:

• Missing, cracked or damaged shingles
• Areas that appear to be sagging
• Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights
• Moss or excessive debris
• Signs of water damage in your attic or upper ceilings

If you spot something questionable, have it inspected before the snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles arrive. I highly recommend the team at www.dmroofingandcontracting.com, so give them a call today to ensure they can see you before the first snowfall. A small roofing problem in September can become a much bigger problem in January.

2. Clean out those eavestroughs

This is one of those jobs that nobody particularly enjoys — but your future self will thank you.

Leaves, twigs and other debris can clog your eavestroughs and downspouts. When water can't drain properly, it can overflow against your roof, fascia, siding or foundation.

Before the temperatures really drop:

• Clean out leaves and debris
• Check that downspouts are securely connected
• Make sure water is directed away from your foundation
• Look for sagging or damaged sections
• Consider installing gutter guards if they're appropriate for your home

And remember: never assume the water is going somewhere just because the downspout is attached. Check where it actually ends up.

3. Give your furnace some attention

The first really cold evening of fall is not the ideal time to discover that your furnace isn't working.

Before you turn the heat on for the season, consider having your furnace inspected and serviced, particularly if it's older or hasn't been serviced recently. I've recently heard that the team from Handy Bros is making a huge investment in Woodstock, expanding their business here. Maybe it's a good time to contact them to book that inspection.

It's also a good time to:

• Replace your furnace filter
• Check that vents and registers aren't blocked
• Make sure your thermostat is working properly
• Test your carbon monoxide detectors
• Check that smoke alarms are working

A clean filter and properly maintained heating system can help your home stay comfortable once those Southwestern Ontario temperatures start dropping.

4. Seal up the drafts

If your house feels chilly every time you walk past a particular window or door, don't ignore it.

Fall is the perfect time to look for air leaks around:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Baseboards
• Electrical outlets on exterior walls
• Attic hatches
• Pipes and other penetrations through exterior walls

Weatherstripping and caulking are relatively inexpensive ways to improve comfort and reduce unwanted drafts.

And if you've ever sat beside a window in January wearing a sweater, blanket and slippers while wondering why the furnace seems to run constantly... this one's for you.

5. Protect your pipes before the deep freeze

Frozen pipes are one of those winter problems that can go from “minor inconvenience” to “very expensive afternoon” surprisingly quickly.

Oxford County notes that poorly insulated or shallow water services can be vulnerable to freezing during extremely cold temperatures, and recommends insulating susceptible pipes and sealing areas where cold air can enter.

Before winter:

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas
• Check pipes near exterior walls
• Seal drafts around plumbing penetrations
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses
• Shut off exterior water supplies where appropriate
• Make sure you know where your main water shut-off valve is

Bonus tip: When you buy your home, make sure everyone in the household knows where that shut-off valve is. If you have a plumbing leak, or a pipe bursts, you don't want a family scavenger hunt happening first!

6. Don't forget the outdoor taps

Your garden hose has probably had a very good summer. Now it's time for retirement.

Disconnect your hoses, drain them and store them somewhere protected. If your home has frost-free or interior shut-off valves for outdoor taps, make sure they're functioning properly.

Water left inside exterior plumbing can freeze and expand, potentially causing damage to pipes inside your home.

It's a tiny fall chore with potentially very big consequences.

7. Walk around your foundation

Take a slow lap around the outside of your house.

You're looking for anything that could allow water to get where it shouldn't.

Check for:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Gaps around windows and doors
• Damaged caulking
• Soil that slopes toward the house
• Downspouts emptying too close to the foundation
• Areas where water appears to pool after rain

Pay particular attention to the grading around your home. Ideally, water should be directed away from the foundation rather than toward it.

If you've noticed water in your basement during heavy rain, fall is a good time to investigate rather than waiting until the next major storm.

8. Prepare your yard for winter

Fall yard work isn't just about making everything look pretty for the neighbours — although that's certainly a nice bonus.

Rake leaves and remove debris from areas where it could block drainage. Trim dead or damaged branches, particularly those that could pose a risk to your roof, vehicles or power lines.

Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, planters and decorations before strong winds arrive.

And if you have young trees or delicate landscaping, fall can be a good time to protect them before winter weather settles in.

9. Clean and inspect your chimney or fireplace

If you're lucky enough to have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, now is the time to make sure it's ready for the season.

Have the chimney inspected and cleaned as recommended, particularly if you use it regularly. This can actually apply to your gas fireplace, too. There's a "chimney" or vent - typically on the other side of the wall. Make sure it isn't being blocked with debris, or home to birds and small animals.

Check the fireplace, chimney cap and surrounding area for signs of damage, and make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

There's something wonderfully cozy about a fire on a cold Ontario evening.

There's nothing cozy about a chimney problem.

10. Get your snow equipment ready

Don't wait for the first snowstorm to discover that your snowblower won't start!

Before winter arrives, take inventory of your winter equipment:

• Snowblower
• Shovel
• Ice scraper
• Salt or ice melt
• Winter boots
• Outdoor lighting
• Extension cords, if needed
• Generator, if you have one

If you have a snowblower, give it a tune-up and make sure it's ready to go.

And check your outdoor lighting while you're at it. The days are getting shorter, and a well-lit walkway is both welcoming and safer.

Oxford County's winter weather can include significant snowfall, blowing snow, ice storms and snow squalls, so being prepared isn't just about convenience.

11. Take care of those little repairs you've been ignoring

You know the ones: The loose deck board. The dripping outdoor faucet. The missing piece of trim. The door that doesn't quite close properly. The window screen that's had a “temporary” fix for three years.

Fall is a great time to make a list of those little jobs and knock them out before the weather makes outdoor repairs considerably less pleasant.

And if you're thinking about selling your home sometime in the next year, this is especially worthwhile.

Small maintenance issues tend to become very noticeable when buyers start looking closely at a home.

12. Get your home ready for cozy season

Not every fall preparation task needs to involve ladders, caulking guns and furnace filters.

Fall is also a wonderful time to make your home feel warm and inviting.

Bring out the heavier throws and blankets. Add a few seasonal touches to your front porch. Clean your windows so you can enjoy those beautiful fall colours. Swap out summer bedding for something warmer.

And don't underestimate the power of your front entrance.

A clean front door, tidy porch, seasonal planter and welcoming outdoor lighting can make your home feel completely different.

It also happens to be a very inexpensive way to improve curb appeal.

13. Do a little fall decluttering

Back-to-school season is basically the homeowner's version of New Year's Eve.

It's a natural time to reset.

Before everyone disappears into winter hibernation, tackle the areas that tend to accumulate clutter:

Mudroom:
Make room for boots, coats, backpacks and winter gear.

Garage:
Move summer equipment aside and make space for snow shovels and winter storage.

Entryway:
Create a designated spot for keys, shoes, bags and school stuff.

Basement:
Deal with those boxes you've been meaning to sort through since approximately 2019.

And if you are thinking about selling your home, this decluttering can be especially valuable. Buyers need to be able to see the space — not your collection of things occupying it!

Since we're planning ahead, there's still time to host a garage sale to make some spare cash without having to deal with a constant barrage of "Is this available?" messages from Marketplace!

A little preparation now makes winter much easier

The transition from summer to fall always seems to happen overnight.

One minute you're enjoying the backyard and the next you're looking at the forecast wondering whether you still have a functioning snow shovel.

The good news is that you don't need to tackle everything in one weekend.

Pick one or two projects each week. Start outside, move inside, and work your way through the house before the really cold weather arrives.

Your home doesn't need to be perfect.

It just needs to be ready.

And if you're a homeowner in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, Norwich, Tavistock or elsewhere in Oxford County, a little fall preparation now can help you head into winter with fewer surprises and a much cozier home.

Thinking about your next move?

Fall is also a great time to start thinking about what's next for your home.

Maybe you're wondering what your home is worth in today's market. Maybe you're considering downsizing, moving closer to family, buying your first home or finally making that move you've been talking about for a while.

You don't have to be ready to list tomorrow to start the conversation.

I'm Shannon, The Oxford Realtor, and I help buyers and sellers throughout Oxford County make confident decisions about their next move.

If you'd like to know what your home could be worth, have questions about the local market, or simply want to talk through your options, let's chat.

After all, there's no rule that says you have to wait until spring to start planning your next chapter.

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