Fall is a beautiful time in New England, but it also gives homeowners a limited window to prepare for the months ahead. Before the leaves are gone, temperatures drop and the first snow arrives, there are a few important things you should take care of around your home.

From cleaning gutters to servicing your heating system, a little preventative maintenance now can help you avoid expensive repairs later. In particular, homeowners should maintain roofs and gutters, protect pipes, and make sure heating systems are ready for winter before freezing temperatures arrive.

Here are 12 things to put on your fall home maintenance list.

1. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

It's one of the least exciting jobs around the house, but it's also one of the most important. Leaves, twigs and other debris can prevent water from flowing freely through your gutters and away from your home. In winter, clogged gutters can contribute to ice dams and water damage. So clear them before freezing weather arrives so that melting snow and ice can drain properly. While you're at it, make sure downspouts direct water well away from your foundation.

2. Inspect Your Roof

Before winter weather arrives, take a look at your roof, or have a professional inspect it. Look for missing or damaged shingles, damaged flashing, signs of water intrusion and areas where leaves or debris have accumulated. Small problems are generally easier and less expensive to address before they're compounded by snow, ice and freezing temperatures. A roof doesn't have to be leaking today to become a problem in January.

3. Have Your Heating System Serviced

Don't wait until the first really cold night to discover that your furnace or boiler isn't working properly. Experts recommend having heating systems professionally checked in the fall, before the heating season gets underway. A typical service visit can include checking controls, electrical connections, combustion components and other parts of the system. And don't forget the simple things: check your heating system’s filter monthly during the heating season and replace it when it’s dirty. Many 1-inch filters need replacement every 1–3 months, but your system and filter manufacturer’s recommendations should take priority.

4. Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

Frozen pipes can turn into a major problem quickly. Before temperatures drop below freezing:

Disconnect garden hoses
Shut off exterior faucets where appropriate
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas
Make sure your home remains adequately heated
Know where your main water shutoff is located

If you own a vacation home or plan to be away for an extended period during the winter, this becomes even more important. Make sure you understand how your heating and plumbing systems should be managed while the property is unoccupied.

5. Check Windows and Doors for Drafts

Walk around your home on a windy day and pay attention to where cold air is getting in. Check the weatherstripping around exterior doors and look for gaps around windows. Caulking and weatherstripping can be relatively inexpensive ways to reduce drafts and make your home more comfortable, and save you money! If you have older windows, fall is also a good time to install storm windows or other seasonal protection.

Tip: Has your home had a no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment in the last two years? If not, you can take advantage of this service paid for by the utilty companies. Learn all about it in our Mass Save blog series or head to MassSave.com.

6. Inspect Your Chimney and Fireplace

If you have a fireplace or wood stove, don't wait until you're ready to use it to discover that it needs attention. Experts recommend having chimneys professionally cleaned every year when using solid-fuel heating appliances, so be sure to have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned as appropriate for your usage. Also make sure anything combustible is kept a safe distance from heating equipment.

7. Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Fall is an excellent reminder to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services recommends testing alarms monthly and changing batteries (if yours have them) twice a year. A easy way to remember is to do it when the clocks “fall behind” and “spring forward” for daylight savings time. It's a simple task that can have an enormous impact on your family's safety.

8. Trim Trees and Remove Dead Branches

Snow and ice can put considerable weight on trees and branches. Walk around your property and look for dead, damaged or overhanging branches that could fall onto your home, vehicles, power lines, or walkways. Remove dead or rotting trees and branches around your home before severe weather arrives, and if you have large trees close to your house, consider having them evaluated by a qualified arborist.

9. Check Your Sump Pump

If you have a basement, don't assume your sump pump will work simply because it worked last year. Test it before winter and make sure the discharge line is clear. If your basement is particularly vulnerable to flooding, consider whether a battery backup or other backup power source makes sense. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends checking sump pumps regularly and considering backup power for homes prone to basement flooding.

10. Get Your Walkways and Exterior Lighting Ready

Once the days get shorter, you'll be relying more heavily on exterior lighting.

Check:

Walkway and stair lighting
Handrails
Exterior steps
Driveways
Pathways
House numbers

Make sure everything is secure and easy to navigate before snow and ice become a factor. And before the first storm, make sure you line up a plow service or have the basics on hand: ice melt, sand, shovels and a working snow blower if you use one.

11. Prepare Your Outdoor Equipment

Fall is the time to put away what you won't need during the winter and prepare what you will. Drain and store garden hoses, and make sure outdoor faucets are properly winterized. Clean and properly store outdoor furniture. Put away seasonal equipment and check your snow blower before the first storm rather than after six inches of snow have already fallen.

12. Review Your Homeowners Insurance

Fall maintenance isn't just about the physical condition of your home. It's also a good time to review your insurance coverage. Make sure you understand what your policy covers and whether your coverage still reflects your home's current value and improvements.

Get Your Home Ready for Winter—and Beyond

A few hours of maintenance this fall can help protect your home, prevent costly surprises, and make the winter months more comfortable. Fall maintenance is about more than simply making it through another New England winter. The small problems you ignore today can become the expensive repairs you encounter later. A leaky gutter, peeling exterior paint, drafty windows, an aging heating system or a roof that is nearing the end of its useful life may not seem urgent now, but these are exactly the kinds of issues that can surface during a home inspection when you're selling.

If you're considering selling in 2027, fall is a smart time to start thinking about what your home may need. That doesn't mean you should start renovating everything in sight. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make before selling is spending money on improvements that don't provide a meaningful return.

Instead, take a strategic approach. At Dwell360 Real Estate, we offer complimentary consultations to help homeowners understand how their home will be viewed by today's buyers and what improvements, repairs or updates are worth considering before going on the market.

The goal isn't to spend more. It's to spend wisely.

Dwell360 is an elite residential real estate firm based in Waban, Massachusetts, servicing the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. Owned by REALTORS Ed Johnston and John Lynch, Dwell360 is a leader in luxury real estate throughout Newton, Needham, Boston, Brookline, and other communities of the greater Boston area and on Cape Cod. Search for homes in Massachusetts or give us a call!

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: 12 Things to Do Before Winter Arrives