Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for Rochester, NY

Why fall matters here

Current Results puts Rochester at an average of 102 inches of snow a year for 1991 to 2020. Heavy snow, thaws and refreezing are hard on roofs, gutters, windows and doors. A few hours of checks in fall prevent most of the emergency calls in January.

1. Seal air leaks

The U.S. Department of Energy lists the places to weatherstrip: door jambs and tops, door bottoms and thresholds, double-hung and sliding window tracks, attic hatches, and window frames. It describes many types, including self-stick foam tape, felt, vinyl V-strip, door sweeps, door shoes and magnetic strips. For caulk, it says to seal the big holes first and caulk cracks and openings to the outside, around windows, doors and foundation sills.

On a fall home maintenance checklist, older wood windows are worth repairing, not replacing. The National Park Service says moisture is the main cause of wood window decay, that weatherstripping and a storm window improve performance, and that repair is often more economical than replacement. Single-glazed wood windows have U-values of about 0.88 to 0.99, which falls to about 0.44 to 0.49 with a storm window. See our window repair page.

2. Gutters and attic

• Gutters: This Old House says to clean them at least twice a year, spring and fall, or about every three months if trees shed often. Work from the corners toward the middle, flush with a hose and check for leaks. Use a stable ladder with a spotter and do not overreach.
• Attic insulation: The National Weather Service says insulation of at least R-30, and preferably R-38 in colder regions, plus good airflow, helps prevent ice dams.

See our ceiling stain guide if you see stains after a thaw.

3. Heating, smoke and carbon monoxide

• Furnace filter: The Department of Energy says to clean or replace filters monthly in peak heating and cooling seasons.
• Smoke alarms: The U.S. Fire Administration says to test them monthly and replace them every 10 years. Replace 9-volt batteries at least once a year.
• Carbon monoxide alarms: The CPSC says to put one on each level and outside sleeping areas. New York State requires CO alarms in homes under Amanda’s Law, with rules differing for older and newer buildings. The state fact sheet lists the details.

Fall home maintenance checklist: quick version

Our home maintenance visit works through a list like this one in a single visit, and flags anything that needs a licensed trade.