The seasons are changing, and it's time to prepare! Here are common post-summer clean-up chores to get your home ready for fall and winter.
10 Essential Fall Clean-Up Tasks
Fall Clean-Up Pays Off
The start of fall is one of my favorite times of the year. The heat is fading, the mosquitos are in retreat, and I have a perfect window to get some maintenance done before the weather turns cold.
And while I don’t always enjoy these tasks, I’m always so thankful I did them when spring rolls around. Doing these fall clean-up tasks means you’ll have more time to enjoy preparing your garden and planting containers come springtime.
I’ve assembled a list of essential clean-up chores for the end of summer/start of fall, and asked a group of experts to share their tips and techniques for doing them right the first time.
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Clean Off the Roof
If you can safely access your roof, early fall is a great time to inspect it. You’ll avoid the intense summer sun that can make roof work difficult, but you’ll still have plenty of time to deal with issues before winter sets in.
Clean off any debris and look for damage or wear and tear that needs repair. Typically, sweeping away roof debris makes a mess in the gutters, so that’s the natural place to head next.
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Clean the Gutters
Clogged gutters and downspouts are frequently the root cause of moisture issues, from wet basements to roof leaks. Lawn Love CEO Jeremy Yamaguchi is well acquainted with the damage a neglected gutter system can cause, to a home and its surrounding landscaping.
“It’s important to clean out your gutters before the temperature drops,” he says. “Leaves and other debris can block the flow of water, allowing cold temperatures to freeze it and cause damage. Gutters can break, and water can leak into your house.”
As you clean out gutter debris, it may drop near your foundation. If so, clean up that gunk along with any accumulated leaves.
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Leaf Removal
Leaf removal starts at the end of summer and continues throughout the fall.
Anna Ohler owns and operates Bright Lane Gardens, a plant nursery on the coast of Lake Michigan. She suggests removing leaves from your lawn, but not from your landscaped areas.
“Mulched leaves can provide a layer of protection from snow and frost,” she says. “They will also break down over the winter months and add valuable organic material back into the soil.”
However, don’t take the same approach to concrete or hardscaping! Ohler recommends removing “as much leaves and debris from sidewalks, pavers and rock pathways as possible. When leaves break down into hardscaped areas, they leave a slimy residue that is difficult to remove once the sun sets it into the stone/concrete.”
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Winterize Vehicles and Animal Enclosures
Amy Motroni, founder of Genius Mom Hacks, encourages readers to properly clean up their summer vehicles and tools. “It’s common for those who live in the country to own ATV’s, Quad’s and other land toys, which all need to be stored away in either a shed or garage for winter to avoid water damage and breaking,” she says.
Same with tools. “Lawn mowers, weed eaters, shovels and other tools for country living will rust and breakdown if left outside year after year,” she says. “If you can’t store in a shed, barn or garage, many cover with a tarp for protection from the elements.”
Montroni also says in some regions, vehicles aren’t the only things that need winter care. “For those that have live stock/animals in the country, you need to make sure the barns and living areas for the animals are ready to weather the winter that is coming,” she says.
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Disconnect Hoses
If you’re expecting temperatures below freezing, be sure to disconnect your garden hoses. Keeping a hose on a spigot, even a frost-free model, will trap water inside. This water can then freeze and burst the pipe, necessitating a costly repair.
If you don’t already have a freeze-proof spigot, consider calling a pro or installing one yourself.
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Bring Plants Indoors
Kayla Gajdascz, president and co-founder of Mental Houseplants, is accustomed to bracing Massachusetts winters. She shared her tips for migrating houseplants back indoors during colder seasons.
- Pest prevention and control: “Inspect each plant,” she says. “If you see signs of unwanted visitors, isolate the affected plant and treat it with natural or chemical solutions as needed. For a more eco-friendly approach, try neem oil or a mixture of water and dish soap as a mild pesticide.”
- Pruning and repotting: Gajdascz says pruning will promote healthy growth during the winter, while repotting will prevent root-bound stress and give your plants adequate space to thrive.
- Adjust light and temperature: “Gradually acclimate your plants to lower light levels to prevent shock,” she says. “Place them in locations with filtered or indirect sunlight at first, then gradually move them closer to their final winter spots. Be mindful of temperature fluctuations and avoid placing plants near drafts or heating vents.”
- Regular inspection: Inspect your plants regularly, keeping an eye out for any signs of stress or pest reinfestation. “Address issues promptly to ensure your indoor garden flourishes throughout the colder months,” Gajdascz says.
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Scrub Mudroom/Entryway Floors
Martin O’Callaghan is a carpenter and designer for Munster Hardwood Flooring. He recommends cleaning a frequently-used but often-neglected area of the home: mudroom floors.
“The summer comes with toys getting dragged from the back garden, out the front and back through again, causing the build-up of dirt at entryways to become especially bad,” O’Callaghan says. “Loose dirt and debris may cause a lot of damage, especially around entrances and other places where there may be a lot of foot traffic.”
At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of not over-cleaning. Simply keep a mop near your entryways for the occasional quick wipe-down.
“If you keep cleaning the wood and adding more water, you run the danger of permanently warping it,” he says. “If your floors are still wet several minutes after cleaning, you’re using far too much water.
“It’s also important to remember that hardwood floors should never, ever be cleaned with steam. Steam mops are growing in popularity, but the rapid changes in temperature and moisture will cause the wood to warp.”
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Protect the Pool
Angela Rubin of Ontario’s Hellamaid shares a tip for those who enjoy a pool during summer. “Properly closing your swimming pool for the season prevents damage caused by freezing temperatures,” she says.
“I learned this lesson when I didn’t properly balance the chemicals and cover my pool last year as well, resulting in cracked tiles and an expensive repair bill. Ensure you clean the pool, balance the water chemistry, and cover it securely to avoid costly repairs come spring.”
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Clean and Store Patio Furniture
Patio furniture withstands the summer sun, but it can only take so much cold-weather abuse. Wendy Wang, owner of F&J Outdoor, encourages homeowners to protect their outdoor furniture. “Vigilance in end-of-summer cleanup tasks prevents unnecessary loss or damage to your assets,” she says.
Wang also cautions against procrastination. Mother Nature doesn’t always give advance notice before turning adversarial.
“It’s not uncommon in Pennsylvania to experience sudden weather shifts at the end of summer, causing unexpected damages,” says Wang. “I remember a client who neglected this end-of-summer clean-up task. A sudden hail storm in the early fall caused extensive damage to her outdoor furniture because it was not properly covered.”
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Grill Clean-up
Full disclosure: I’m a year-round griller. I can happily tend to a rack of ribs or veggie kebabs no matter what the weather. But if the idea of flipping burgers while snow drifts around your ankles doesn’t appeal to you, then the end of summer means it’s time to start packing up your grill.
I asked Anthony Lucchino, a grilling expert and founder of Grill Smoke Repeat, about winterizing his grills. He started off with a candid confession.
“I’ve definitely made the mistake of forgetting to properly clean and store the grill for fall and winter,” he says. “We’d often leave the grill uncleaned and improperly prepared to handle the harsh winters. The result was dragging the newer grill to the curb for trash pickup almost every spring!”
To avoid this fate, Lucchino describes a three-step process:
- Remove grease: Scrape the grease from all surfaces, including the bottom of the pan.
- Apply oil: While grease is bad, a thin coat of oil repels moisture and can make it easier to clean the grill in the future. Use vegetable oil with a high smoke point to coat the grill surfaces.
- Cover the grill: In Northern climates, grills can rust out quickly. Storing your grill in the garage over the winter will significantly extend its useful life. If you must leave it outside, buy the best grill cover you can afford.
