Fall home maintenance checklist for Toronto homes.

Why fall matters

Fall is the most important season of the year for a Toronto home. Anything left undone before the first hard frost becomes a winter problem: water left in an outdoor tap becomes a burst pipe, a blocked eavestrough becomes an ice dam, and a boiler that wasn't serviced fails on the coldest night of January. Larger and older homes have more of all three. The aim of fall is simple: close the house up properly before winter arrives.

Your fall checklist

• Heating system service. Service the furnace, boiler or heat pump before the first cold night, and bleed radiators so every room heats evenly. Older boilers deserve extra attention. Furnace, boiler and HVAC
• Chimney and fireplace. Sweep and inspect before the first fire of the season, including caps and dampers.
• Eavestroughs after the leaves fall. Toronto's mature trees mean many homes need this twice. Blocked eavestroughs in fall become ice dams in winter.
• Roof and flashing check. One last look at the roof, valleys and flashing before snow covers them. Roof repair
• Outdoor taps and irrigation blow-out. Shut off and drain exterior taps, and blow out the irrigation lines with compressed air. Water left in a line is the most common cause of a burst pipe. Water damage and flooding
• Pool and hot tub closing. Winterize lines and equipment properly, so spring opening isn't a repair. Seasonal landscaping
• Windows, doors and weatherstripping. Seal drafts, and on heritage homes, check that storm windows are in and working.
• Garden put-away. Wrap or store urns and planters, protect cedars and boxwoods from snow and salt, and prune trees ahead of snow load.
• Sump pump backup and generator. Test battery backups and run any standby generator before winter storms.
• Humidity, the other way. As the heat comes on, indoor air dries out. Switch from dehumidifying to humidifying to protect floors and millwork.
• Snow plan. Line up snow clearing for the driveway, walks and steps before the first storm, not after it.
• Outdoor furniture and lighting. Clean, cover or store furniture, and check exterior lighting before the dark evenings.

When to book fall work

Heating technicians and chimney sweeps are busiest from late September, and irrigation and pool companies work through a fixed closing list. Book in late summer if you can, and get the outdoor taps and irrigation done before the first overnight frost, which in Toronto often comes in late October.

Other seasonal checklists

See all four seasons, or jump to the next one.

A checklist tells you what. We handle the rest.

Every item above sounds simple. The real work is knowing which trade to call, getting them there at the right time, checking the job and keeping a record of it for next season. For Zebrano members, a dedicated Home Manager runs this list for you, with licensed and insured trades we've worked with for up to 20 years, and one invoice. No apps, real people on-site looking after your home.

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