Fall: get ready for the freeze
- Shut off outdoor faucets. Close the valve inside, drain the pipe, and disconnect and store hoses before temperatures drop (St. Paul Regional Water Services, Red Cross).
- Blow out sprinkler lines following the manufacturer's or installer's directions (Red Cross).
- Clean gutters and check downspouts. Extensions should discharge at least 4 feet from the wall; UMN Extension says a downspout without an extension or splash block "is worse than no downspout at all" (UMN Extension).
- Furnace check-up. ENERGY STAR recommends a heating check in the fall and checking the filter monthly (ENERGY STAR). Have chimneys and vents inspected yearly too (USFA, CSIA / NFPA 211).
- Smoke and CO alarms. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal says to replace batteries at least once a year, each fall and spring when the clocks change (MN State Fire Marshal).
- Test for radon. MDH recommends every Minnesota home be tested, and retested every 2 to 5 years; the heating season is the best time (MDH).
- Seal drafts. EPA estimates air sealing plus insulation saves an average of 15% on heating and cooling (ENERGY STAR). Check weatherstripping on doors and windows.
- Switch ceiling fans to clockwise for winter (ENERGY STAR).
Winter: humidity, ice and frozen pipes
- Keep indoor humidity around 25%. UMN Extension says 25% in winter to 50% in summer is healthy for people and the house; condensation on windows is a sign of too much moisture (UMN Extension).
- Watch for ice dams. Minnesota Commerce says attic air leaks are the primary cause; don't chip ice or add heat cables (MN Commerce). See our ice dam guide.
- Keep vents and the gas meter clear of snow. Xcel Energy says blocked exhaust vents can cause carbon monoxide buildup, and a frozen meter can cut heat and lead to burst pipes (Xcel Energy, MN State Fire Marshal).
- Prevent frozen pipes. Keep the thermostat steady day and night, and at no lower than 55°F if you're away (Red Cross). If a pipe freezes, never thaw it with an open flame. St. Paul's water utility notes homeowners pay for meters damaged by freezing (SPRWS).
- Clean the dryer lint filter every load. USFA data shows dryer fires peak in January, and failure to clean is the leading cause (USFA).
Spring: water
- Test the sump pump. Pour water into the pit and make sure it turns on and discharges away from the house. IBHS says to replace backup batteries every 2 to 3 years (IBHS).
- Check the grading. Soil should slope away from the foundation at least 1 inch per foot for 6 feet (UMN Extension).
- Look at the roof. IBHS recommends a professional roof inspection every year and found roof leaks were the most common source of water damage in its study (IBHS).
- AC check-up in the spring (ENERGY STAR).
- Check the basement for dampness, stains and musty smells (UMN Extension).
Summer: the outside of the house
- Paint and caulk. Moisture is the most common cause of early paint failure on wood, and left alone it leads to rot; paint usually fails at board ends and edges first (Purdue Extension).
- Inspect the deck once a year for decay, loose connections and railings, and reapply water repellent about every two years (Southern Pine Council).
- Trim plants so nothing touches the siding (InterNACHI).
- Clean the dryer vent once a year, or sooner if drying takes longer (NFPA).
Every month, and every few years
- Test smoke and CO alarms monthly. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms every 5 to 7 years (MN State Fire Marshal). Minnesota law requires a working CO alarm within 10 feet of every bedroom (Minn. Stat. 299F.51).
- Test GFCI outlets monthly (CPSC).
- Water heater: IBHS says to flush sediment every 6 months and notes the chance of a leak climbs sharply after 5 years (IBHS).
- Know where your main water shutoff is, and check that it works every 6 months (IBHS).
- Washing machine hoses: replace every 5 years (IBHS).
When to call someone
Most of this list is a homeowner's job. Furnace and chimney inspections take a professional. And the fixes that come out of it, like a sticking door, failed caulk, a loose railing or worn weatherstripping, are what our handyman service handles. See also small fixes that prevent big damage.