The Ultimate Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for St. Louis Homeowners
We know it feels impossible in this summer heat we’ve all been experiencing, but autumn will be here before we know it! And as summer winds down and cooler temperatures finally arrive, fall is the perfect time to give your home a little extra attention. For St. Louis, St. Peters, and St. Charles homeowners, fall home maintenance is especially important because our homes have to handle everything from hot, humid summers to freezing winter temperatures.
Taking care of a few maintenance tasks now can help you catch small problems before they turn into expensive repairs, and help make sure your home is ready for whatever Missouri weather brings next.
Use our UPKEEP fall home maintenance checklist to get started!
1. Have Your HVAC System Checked
Before you turn on your furnace for the first time, make sure your heating system is ready for the colder months ahead. Replace your HVAC filter and consider scheduling professional maintenance if your system hasn’t been serviced recently. A seasonal inspection can help identify potential problems before you’re left without heat on a freezing St. Louis night.
If you’re an UPKEEP Home Warranty + Maintenance client, no worries! Your HVAC system is one of many home systems and appliances we take care of for you throughout the year.
2. Clean Your Gutters
Falling leaves can quickly clog gutters and downspouts, preventing water from properly draining away from your home. Clean out leaves and debris, then make sure your downspouts are directing water away from your foundation. This is especially important for St. Louis homes with basements, where water intrusion can become a major headache.
3. Check Your Roof
You don’t necessarily need to climb onto your roof to inspect it. From the ground, look for missing or damaged shingles, sagging areas, damaged flashing, or anything else that looks unusual. If you’ve experienced severe summer storms, fall is a particularly good time to have your roof checked for damage.
4. Inspect Doors and Windows
As temperatures drop, gaps around doors and windows can allow heated air to escape and cold air to sneak inside. Check weatherstripping, caulk, screens, locks, and window frames. Fixing small drafts now can make your home more comfortable and help improve energy efficiency throughout the winter.
5. Protect Your Plumbing
Before freezing temperatures arrive, make sure your exterior faucets and hoses are ready for winter. Disconnect garden hoses and shut off exterior water supplies if your home’s plumbing is designed for it. Also, take a look around your home for dripping faucets, slow drains, or small leaks that should be addressed before temperatures fall. A small plumbing problem is much easier to deal with in October than in the middle of a Missouri freeze!
6. Check Your Deck, Fence & Exterior
Summer storms, humidity, and everyday wear can take a toll on exterior wood. Walk around your property and look for loose boards or railings, rotting wood, and damaged screens. Taking care of these repairs in the fall can help prevent small exterior problems from becoming bigger ones after a winter of freezing temperatures and moisture. We highly recommend our local partners at Mister Fix-It!
7. Test Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As you begin using your furnace and other heating equipment more frequently, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Test each detector and replace batteries as needed. If a detector is old or malfunctioning, replace it.
8. Don’t Forget Your Home’s Maintenance Records
Fall is also a great time to make sure you know what has been maintained, what needs attention, and when your major systems and appliances were last serviced. Keeping track of maintenance can make it easier to plan future repairs and identify potential problems before they become emergencies.
Make Fall Maintenance Easier With UPKEEP
Keeping up with everything your home needs can feel like a full-time job. That’s where UPKEEP comes in.
UPKEEP combines home warranty coverage with a proactive home maintenance plan, helping our local homeowners stay on top of routine maintenance while providing protection against unexpected breakdowns.
Instead of wondering what needs to be checked, when it needs to be serviced, or who to call when something goes wrong, your UPKEEP Home Manager helps keep your home’s maintenance organized and on schedule.
This fall, don’t wait for a small problem to become a big one. A little preventive maintenance today can help protect your home tomorrow.
Learn all about UPKEEP’s home warranties here!
NEXT UP: How Preventive Maintenance Saves You Money on Home Repairs