October Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Winter Weather Ready

As the middle month of autumn, October is a great time to attend to both indoor and outdoor home maintenance tasks. Daylight saving time doesn’t end until a week into November, so there is enough light for an outdoor chore or two after work, especially on a day when clouds don’t darken the sky prematurely. And if the weather’s bad, there are plenty of things to do indoors. After all, as the increasingly shorter days remind us, we’ll all be spending a lot more time there soon.

So here are the tasks you should be doing now, to get ready for the Winter Weather to come….

Replace the furnace filter

You’ll be in hot water if you forget to replace the filter in your furnace, so check it every 4–6 weeks during the winter months.

Test the sump pump

Don’t let flood water sneak up on you. Test your sump pump to ensure it’s still connected and properly siphoning water out of your basement and crawl spaces.

Insulate the pipes

If you live in an area that gets chilly in October, wrap the pipes in your basement to prevent them from freezing during the coming winter.

Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets

It’s time to hang up your gardening gloves for the winter, so go ahead and turn off and drain any outside water faucets to avoid freezing pipes.

Cover and store outdoor furniture

Find a place to stow your favorite chaise safe from the elements before the snow buries it. If you don’t have space in your shed or garage, at least cover outdoor furniture to avoid wear and tear on the upholstery.

Winterize perennials and clean out annuals

Prep your garden, landscaping, and flower beds for the cruel temps that force plants into hibernation, and clear out the dead stuff so you’ll have room for your next bright idea in the spring.

Rake the leaves and mow the lawn

Give that lawn one last rake and mow to sweep up any remaining debris and get your grass in tip-top shape for next year’s season of growth.

Decorate for Halloween

All the ghosts and ghouls will be out this month. If you’re in the Halloween spirit, decorate your yard with pumpkins and spooky decorations.

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