5 Things to Do to Prepare Your Home for Fall

1. Clean the gutters after the leaves drop

Time it for after most leaves are down, often November here, and before the first hard freeze. How often to clean gutters.

2. Check where the downspouts drain

Make sure each downspout empties well away from the foundation. Add extensions or splash blocks where water pools.

3. Look for gutter damage

Dripping corners, sagging runs and gaps behind the gutter get worse once ice and snow add weight. Fix them before winter.

4. Wash siding, decks and walkways

Clearing mildew and algae before winter keeps moisture off siding and makes decks less slippery. Power washing.

5. Get ahead of ice dams

If ice dams formed last winter, now is the time to air-seal the attic and add heat cables where ice keeps forming. How to prevent ice dams.