Nassau County Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: 7 Things to Do Before Winter

Fall on Long Island doesn't last forever.

One week you're enjoying comfortable temperatures and changing leaves. A few weeks later, the heat is running, the sprinklers are frozen and you're wondering why nobody cleaned the gutters before the first storm.

A little preventative maintenance in the fall can help you avoid bigger — and often more expensive — problems during the winter.

Here are 7 things Nassau County homeowners should check before the cold weather arrives.

1. Service Your Boiler or Furnace

Don't wait until the first freezing night to discover that your heating system isn't working properly.

Fall is a good time to have your boiler or furnace inspected and serviced before it starts running every day.

If you have radiators, this is also a good time to make sure they're heating properly and address any that may need attention.

A seasonal service visit may help identify small problems before they become a no-heat emergency in January.

Need help with your heating system?

2. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

Nassau County gets plenty of falling leaves, and those leaves have a habit of ending up exactly where you don't want them: your gutters.

Clogged gutters can prevent rainwater and melting snow from draining away from your home properly.

After most of the leaves have fallen:

• Remove leaves and debris from gutters
• Make sure downspouts are clear
• Check that water drains away from the foundation
• Look for loose or damaged gutter sections

If your home is surrounded by large trees, you may need to clean them more than once.

Need professional help?

3. Blow Out Your Sprinkler System

If you have an underground irrigation system, don't forget about it when summer ends.

Water left inside irrigation lines can freeze, expand and potentially damage pipes, valves and sprinkler heads.

Schedule your sprinkler blowout before the first hard freeze, not after it.

This is one of those inexpensive seasonal jobs that can prevent a much more annoying spring repair.

Looking for someone to winterize your system?

4. Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Hose Bibs

Outdoor faucets are another easy thing to forget.

Before freezing temperatures arrive:

• Disconnect garden hoses
• Locate the interior shutoff valve, if your home has one
• Shut off the water feeding the outdoor faucet
• Open the outside faucet to drain any remaining water

Water trapped in exposed plumbing can freeze and expand, potentially resulting in damaged pipes.

And nobody wants to discover a burst pipe during the first cold snap.

Need help with outdoor plumbing?

5. Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Fall is an excellent reminder to test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

As heating systems, fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances get more use during colder weather, working alarms are especially important.

Go through the house and:

• Test each alarm
• Replace batteries where necessary
• Replace damaged or outdated units

It only takes a few minutes. Put this one near the top of the list.

6. Seal Gaps Around Windows and Doors

Feel a cold draft near a window or exterior door?

Small gaps can make rooms uncomfortable and force your heating system to work harder.

Walk around your home and check:

• Window frames
• Exterior doors
• Door sweeps
• Weatherstripping
• Visible gaps around frames

Simple caulk or weatherstripping may be enough for minor drafts. Larger problems may be worth having inspected by a professional.

7. Check Your Chimney and Fireplace

If you plan to use your fireplace this winter, make sure the chimney is ready first.

Your fall checklist should include checking the chimney and having it cleaned when necessary. This is especially important if the fireplace gets regular use.

The best time to deal with a chimney problem is before you're sitting in front of the first fire of the season.

Need a local professional?

Your Quick Fall Checklist

Before winter arrives, make sure you've handled:

• ☐Boiler or furnace service
• ☐Gutters and downspouts
• ☐Sprinkler system blowout
• ☐Outdoor hose bibs
• ☐Smoke and CO alarms
• ☐Window and door drafts
• ☐Chimney and fireplace

You don't necessarily need to complete everything in one weekend. The important thing is to get ahead of the cold weather.