Your Southern Maine fall home checklist

Fall in Southern Maine is beautiful — and short. Before the first hard frost, a little attention in the right places can prevent the kind of midwinter surprises no one enjoys. Think of this as a calm walkthrough, not a weekend of chores.

Outside the house

• Clear gutters and downspouts so melting snow and rain drain away from the foundation.
• Check the roof from the ground for lifted or missing shingles, and note anything for a professional to look at.
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off exterior faucets if your home has interior shutoff valves.
• Walk the perimeter and look for gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes enter the house — a little caulk now means a warmer January.
• Store or cover outdoor furniture and check that walkways and steps are sound before ice season.

Inside the house

• Schedule a heating system service before the busy season — technicians book up quickly once temperatures drop.
• Replace furnace filters and make sure vents and radiators aren't blocked by furniture.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if it's been a while.
• If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional before the first fire.
• Know where your main water shutoff is — and make sure everyone in the house does too.

A note on the bigger jobs

Anything involving your roof, heating system, chimney, or electrical work is best left to qualified professionals. A good rule of thumb: if a task involves heights, fuel, or wiring, it's worth a call to someone who does it every day.

If you'd like help turning this list into a plan for your specific home, that's exactly what a Roost 101 Assessment is for.