Fall Home Maintenance in Nova Scotia
As the leaves start to turn around HRM and those crisp mornings start rolling in off the ocean, fall makes for the perfect time to give your home a little TLC before the winter.
A few smart fixes now can save you money and prevent you from having to do some major renovations with several inches of snow to deal with!
Here’s a checklist I give my clients as home-work (😉😂) to help them get ahead on their home maintenance!
Outside The House
1) Roof, gutters, and drainage
Do a quick roof scan from the ground for lifted shingles or gaps in the flashing. After the first big windstorm, check again. (Hopefully we don’t get any hurricanes this year, but if we do, obviously you’ll need to check again after those roll through.)
Clean gutters and downspouts; make sure water flows several feet away from the foundation with extensions or splash blocks.
Check grading; soil should slope away from your home so melted snow doesn’t pool around your foundation.
2) Siding, windows, and doors
Wash exterior windows for brighter rooms on short, dreary maritime days.
Inspect caulking around windows and doors; re-seal any gaps. If it’s completely lifted, you’ll need to scrape it off and start from scratch. (Annoying, I know, but it’ll save you in the long run!)
Add or replace weatherstripping on drafty doors; it’s a small cost with a big comfort payoff.
If you have thick shades that keep cool air from coming in the house, check your windows for condensation on the first frosty day. If you have water beads pooling on your windows, consider putting some spare cloths in the window sill or make sure you’re wiping away moisture regularly to keep your windows from getting water damage.
3) Decks, steps, and walkways
Tighten loose rails; screw down any nails or screws that are sticking up. (Did you know these are called ‘proud’ nails and screws? I just learned that myself from a contractor I work with!)
Power-wash if needed and spot-seal worn boards so they don’t soak up water all winter. If you’re on Lake Major’s water system in Dartmouth, you’ll need to skip that step until the water conservation is lifted.
Stock pet-safe ice melt now and tuck a bucket near each entry. After last year’s first big ice storm, you couldn’t get salt anywhere in Nova Scotia, so stock up ahead!
4) Yard and landscaping
Rake leaves off lawns; mulch them or compost so the grass can breathe. Lots of little bugs might be sleeping in them, so you can use it as mulch for your garden if you want a pollinator-friendly option.
Last mow of the season at a slightly lower than summer height and overseed thin spots while the soil is still warm.
Trim branches away from the house and power lines; storms love a weak limb and it’s better to get it out of the way now.
Drain and store garden hoses; shut off and bleed exterior taps. Winterize irrigation.
5) Outbuildings and gear
Clean and cover patio furniture. Bring them into the garage or shed if you can, but if you can’t, consider strapping them down in case we get a late-season hurricane or winter blizzard with high wind conditions.
Service your snowblower, test your generator and store fuel safely.
Check shed locks and weather seals to keep critters out. They love to get in there this time of year!
6) Septic, wells, and shoreline
If you’re on septic and it’s due, book a pump-out before the ground freezes.
Well owners, test your water and insulate any exposed lines.
Coastal folks, secure wharf gear and yard items ahead of Nor’easters.
Inside The House
1) Heat sources
Book a furnace or boiler service and replace filters. This includes your air purifiers and HVAC systems.
Heat pump owners, schedule a cleaning for your heat pump! Always ask if they rinse your outdoor coils as well as your indoor head. Some companies don’t touch your outdoor unit! Breath Clean does a wonderful job if you’ve never had it done. They’ll let you know what they’re doing and give you maintenance advice while they work.
Wood stove and fireplace users; get a chimney sweep and consider a WETT inspection for safety and insurance. Also, do your first burn on a day that you can open the windows because it’s bound to stink up the house as dust burns off.
Speaking of, if you have electric heat, dust/vacuum all your radiators and turn them on for 10 minutes with all the windows open on a warm day to avoid having that smell in the house when it’s too cold to air it out.
2) Air quality and humidity
If you have a HRV/ERV, set the humidity to roughly 35–45% once temps drop; too damp invites condensation, too dry isn’t comfy.
Clean HRV/ERV filters and bathroom fan grilles; good ventilation prevents window frost.
If you have damp areas in the house, make sure you have a dehumidifier ready to keep the levels down during the winter.
3) Insulation and drafts
Peek into the attic; look for thin insulation, dark spots from air leaks, or obvious gaps around the hatch.
Foam-seal or weatherstrip around plumbing and wire penetrations in the basement to keep mice and cold air out.
4) Water and appliances
Inspect your hot water tank for corrosion; note the age so you can plan a proactive replacement.
If you’ve never drained and flushed your hot water tank, now is a great time to do so! (I love this YouTube channel for home maintenance!)
Vacuum refrigerator coils; clean dryer vents from appliance to exterior hood to reduce fire risk.
Clean your bathroom vent! It should be cleaned every 4-6 months to prevent fire risk. (I love this video, but if your vent is different, you can find a video that matches.)
5) Safety must-dos
Test smoke and CO alarms and replace the batteries when the clocks change in the fall.
Check fire extinguishers. Keep one in the kitchen specific to grease fires and one near mechanical equipment. You can also keep fire blankets nearby which don’t need to be changed.
Refresh your storm kit; flashlights, batteries, chargers, blankets, and a few shelf-stable meals.
6) Paperwork and planning
Review your home insurance in the fall, add photos of upgrades or serial numbers to your file. Also, take some time to walk through the house taking a video of everything in your home and keep it uploaded to a cloud storage service.
Listing Soon?
Exterior first; clean siding, touch-up paint, and a crisp front door set the tone.
Energy tune-up; draft fixes and a serviced heating system are small investments that reassure buyers.
Pre-inspection extras; chimney report, septic record, and recent service receipts go a long way in negotiations.
If you’re considering a spring sale, ask me for a quick walk-through this fall; we’ll prioritize simple updates with the best return.