Top 10 Fall Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner in Forsyth Should Do

Gutters are your home’s first line of defense against rain. When they’re clogged with leaves, water sheets over the gutter edge, saturates siding, and can seep into foundations or basements. Clean the troughs, hose-flush the downspouts, and add extensions so water discharges several feet away from the house. This simple weekend job reduces the odds of water intrusion—a top driver of insurance claims nationwide—and also minimizes ice buildup at the eaves later in the season. University and public-safety guidance consistently recommends cleaning gutters in fall to prevent water damage and directing runoff away from foundations. 

Fall is the ideal time to re-caulk window/door trim and install fresh weatherstripping. Air leaks make your heating system work harder and create cold spots that feel uncomfortable even at normal thermostat settings. The U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program estimates homeowners can save about 15% on heating and cooling costs by air-sealing and adding insulation in key areas like attics and floors over crawlspaces. Small tubes of caulk and a roll of weatherstripping can pay for themselves quickly—especially when winter peaks. (ENERGY STAR). 

Risk of skipping: Persistent air leaks mean higher utility bills and moisture intrusion around frames, which can lead to rot and paint failure over time. 

Your furnace or heat pump is about to go from idle to daily duty. Replace or clean filters and schedule a tune-up so airflow and combustion/defrost cycles are within spec. Dirty filters slow airflow and force the system to work harder, increasing energy use and wear; clean filters protect the coil/heat exchanger and help prevent premature failures. ENERGY STAR and the U.S. Department of Energy recommend checking filters monthly during heavy use and changing at least every three months. (DOE Energy Saver; ENERGY STAR). 

Risk of skipping: Reduced efficiency, higher bills, and a higher chance of no-heat calls on the first cold snap—when service providers are the busiest. (DOE Energy Saver). 

As heating season starts, verify every level and sleeping area has working smoke alarms and at least one CO detector near bedrooms. Replace batteries, press “test,” and check manufacture dates—most detectors should be replaced about every 10 years (or per manufacturer guidance). CO poisoning kills 400+ Americans annually, with over 100,000 ER visits each year, and risk spikes in winter when heating appliances run. Many home fire deaths occur where alarms were absent or not working, underscoring the value of functional detectors. (CDC; NFPA). 

Risk of skipping: Undetected smoke or CO exposure can be fatal. Heating equipment is a leading driver of winter home fires, and failure to clean chimneys is a key factor in heating-related fires.

Even in North Georgia, brief hard freezes can burst pipes. Disconnect and drain hoses, install inexpensive faucet covers, and insulate any exposed pipes (garage, crawlspace, exterior walls). The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety highlights that warmer-climate construction often routes plumbing along exterior walls, making southern homes particularly vulnerable when temperatures dip below freezing. A burst line can flood rooms in minutes. (IBHS). 

Risk of skipping: Water-damage/freezing claims are common, and a single burst pipe can easily cause thousands in damage before you can shut the valve.

If you burn wood at all, schedule a chimney sweep and inspection before your first fire of the season. Failure to clean—especially creosote buildup in chimneys—is a leading factor in home heating fires, per the National Fire Protection Association. A professional will clear deposits, verify clearances, and check caps and flues so smoke and gases draft safely. (NFPA; EPA wood-smoke kit citing NFPA findings). 

Risk of skipping: Chimney fires, smoke spillage, and CO back-drafting into living spaces—all more likely when creosote accumulates or blockages develop. 

Walk the property and look for limbs overhanging the roof, deadwood, or obvious weak branch unions. Proactive trimming reduces the chance of branches puncturing shingles, damaging gutters, or taking down lines during a thunderstorm or winter wind event. Federal preparedness guidance explicitly recommends cutting down or trimming trees that may fall on your home to reduce storm damage. (Ready.gov). 

Risk of skipping: Wind-thrown limbs can rip shingles, punch holes, and clog freshly cleaned gutters in one blow; emergency tree work is far more expensive than scheduled pruning. (Ready.gov). 

Small cracks let water in. When temperatures drop, water freezes and expands by about 9%, exerting pressure that widens cracks and spalls surface material. Sealing cracks in early fall—when days are dry and mild—helps keep moisture out and preserves the slab or asphalt through winter. Technical guidance on freeze-thaw damage explains the mechanism and why protective sealers help; practical how-tos note fall as an ideal window for sealing. (NIH ORF Technical Bulletin; The Spruce). 

Risk of skipping: Hairlines become trip hazards and potholes by spring, turning a $20 tube of sealant into a far pricier resurfacing job. 

Wood trim and siding need a continuous weather seal. When caulk fails or paint peels, moisture penetrates, swells the wood, invites fungi, and shortens the life of the assembly. A quick perimeter walk—re-caulking open joints and spot-painting bare wood—keeps the building envelope protected as winter rain sets in. In tandem with the air-sealing in #2, this both improves efficiency and preserves materials. 

Risk of skipping: Untreated gaps accelerate rot around windows/doors and can lower curb appeal and resale value—repairs later cost far more than touch-ups now.