Autumn home maintenance: a checklist for Philadelphia and the Main Line

Take one slow walk around the house

Choose daylight and stay on stable ground. Look at the home as a whole before focusing on individual jobs. Use your phone's zoom for a closer view of something high up; a photograph is a question to investigate, not proof that a roof is sound.

Note the location of each concern, photograph it and say what you saw. A contractor can do more with 'water spilling over the gutter above the back door during rain' than 'gutters bad.' Leave roofs, ladder work and damaged tree limbs to suitable professionals.

• Look for loose or visibly damaged exterior components, staining beneath gutters and disconnected downspouts.
• Check that everyday paths and entrances are clear; note uneven surfaces, loose rails or lighting that needs attention.
• Look for changes around doors, windows and accessible exterior woodwork. Record recurring dampness or deterioration.
• List any branches or trees that concern you for assessment by an arborist, without attempting to diagnose their stability.

Follow the water

Watch how rain moves from the roof to the ground and away from the house, from a safe position. EPA's homeowner guidance recommends regular gutter care and ground that directs water away from foundations. Arrange an assessment if water repeatedly collects beside the building; changing drainage can affect more than the wet spot you can see. EPA moisture guidance.

Have gutters and downspouts checked and cleared as needed. Where leaves keep falling, ask the service company whether a later follow-up makes sense. From ground level, remove loose leaves from safely accessible surface drain grates without lifting heavy covers or reaching inside drainage equipment.

Inside, check accessible areas previously affected by leaks. New stains, wet materials or a musty smell deserve attention now. Keep photographs from before and after the repair, together with the explanation of what caused the problem.

Make the heating visit useful

Book the heating check before you rely on the system daily. ENERGY STAR recommends annual professional checks before the season and identifies fall as the time to check heating. Combustion, electrical connections and internal equipment checks belong with the contractor. ENERGY STAR maintenance guidance.

Send the contractor the equipment model and last service note in advance. Mention rooms that were uncomfortable last winter, unusual sounds and any recurring faults. Ask which routine checks are appropriate for you, including the correct filter and access method where relevant. Have the technician record findings, completed work and any follow-up recommendation separately.

For a fireplace or wood stove, arrange an annual professional inspection of the appliance, chimney and vent. Have cleaning and repairs completed when the inspection identifies a need. CSIA inspection guidance. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, following each model’s instructions. Smoke alarm care. Carbon monoxide alarm care.

Prepare the parts exposed to cold

Identify outdoor taps, garden hoses, irrigation and any pool equipment that needs seasonal attention. Philadelphia Water recommends disconnecting hoses and winterizing outdoor water supplies. Ask your plumber or service provider to confirm the process for your installation; outdoor fixtures and irrigation systems are not all the same. Philadelphia Water guidance.

If the home will be vacant, discuss a winter plan with the relevant service professionals before leaving. Include plumbing, heating, local access and who will check the property. A remote temperature reading can be useful information, but someone still needs a clear next step when a problem appears.

• Confirm seasonal service dates for irrigation and pool equipment, where applicable.
• Record what was shut down, by whom and when it should be restarted.
• Check that the local contact has the current instructions and can reach you.
• Set a reminder to review the property before a long absence.

Finish with a smaller list

Divide your notes into completed, booked and needs a decision. Save each invoice with the relevant part of the home and note whether the visit included cleaning, inspection, repair or only an estimate. These are different things.

Carry the unresolved items into next month's plan, with a person and a date attached. For several homes, repeat the walk and checklist separately; the garden, equipment, weather and service contacts may differ. Next autumn, begin with this year's record instead of trying to remember what happened.