Homeowner Tips
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
A few hours this month saves you real money — and headaches — when the first Utah cold snap hits. Work through it, and head into winter with a home that's buttoned up tight.
Download the Printable PDFOutside & Yard
- Blow out the sprinkler system. The big one in Utah — trapped water freezes, expands, and cracks your lines. Do it before the first hard freeze.
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Then shut off and drain exterior faucets to prevent burst pipes.
- Clean out the gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters cause ice dams and water damage once the snow starts.
- Trim branches away from the roof and power lines. Heavy snow snaps overhanging limbs — get ahead of it.
- Give the lawn its final mow and fertilize. A fall feeding sets you up for a greener spring.
Heating & Systems
- Service the furnace and replace the filter. A quick tune-up now avoids a no-heat emergency in January — and keeps bills down.
- Test the thermostat (and swap batteries if it's the battery kind).
- Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise. Pushes warm air back down — a small trick that actually helps.
- Have the chimney inspected if you use a wood or gas fireplace.
Seal & Protect
- Check weatherstripping on doors and windows. Feel for drafts — sealing leaks is the cheapest way to cut a heating bill.
- Caulk gaps around window and door frames. A $5 tube of caulk pays for itself fast.
- Add or check attic insulation. Heat escapes through the top of the house first.
Safety Check
- Test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector. Closed-up homes running the furnace make CO detectors especially important.
- Refresh or check the emergency kit. Flashlights, batteries, blankets — winter power outages happen.
- Stock up on ice melt and locate the snow shovel before you actually need them at 6am.
Thinking of selling in the spring? Every item on this list is also a quiet win for your home's value. A well-maintained home shows better, appraises better, and signals to buyers that it's been cared for. Knock these out now, and you're already ahead when listing season rolls around.
Have Questions About Your Home's Value?
Ammon and Tasha are always happy to talk through maintenance, timing, or what your home could sell for — no pressure, no obligation.
