Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Your Michigan Home Ready for Winter

A few hours of work this fall can save you from a frozen pipe, a flooded basement, or a furnace that quits on the coldest night of the year.

Michigan winters are beautiful, but they're hard on houses. Snow, ice, freeze-thaw cycles, and months of closed windows put real stress on your roof, plumbing, and heating system.

The good news: most winter damage is preventable, and October and early November are the ideal window to get ahead of it. Whether you've owned your home for years or just closed this year, here's a practical checklist to protect your investment before the snow flies.

Outside the Home

Start outdoors while the weather is still mild. These tasks get harder, and riskier, once there's ice on the ladder.

• Clean gutters and downspouts after most leaves have fallen. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams and water backing up under shingles.

• Extend downspouts so water drains several feet away from your foundation.

• Look over the roof from the ground (binoculars help) for missing, curling, or damaged shingles.

• Trim branches that hang over the roof or power lines. Heavy snow and ice can bring them down.

• Seal gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes or wires enter the house.

• Store patio furniture and cover the grill to extend their life.

Plumbing and Water

Frozen and burst pipes are among the most expensive winter repairs, and they're largely avoidable.

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses. A hose left attached can trap water and crack the faucet or pipe inside the wall.

• Shut off and drain outdoor faucets using the interior shut-off valve, if your home has one.

• Blow out the irrigation system before the first hard freeze. Most sprinkler companies book up fast in October.

• Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and along exterior walls.

• Test your sump pump by slowly pouring a bucket of water into the pit. Consider a battery backup if you don't have one.

• Know where your main water shut-off is, and make sure everyone in the house does too.

Heating, Safety, and Air Quality

Your furnace is about to work harder than it has all year. A little attention now keeps it running efficiently.

• Schedule a furnace tune-up with a licensed HVAC technician.

• Replace the furnace filter, and set a reminder to check it monthly through winter.

• Have the chimney inspected and swept if you use a wood-burning fireplace.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries. CO risk rises when homes are closed up and heating systems run nonstop.

• Reverse ceiling fans to run clockwise on low speed, which pushes warm air down from the ceiling.

• Test for radon. Winter's closed-house conditions make it a good time to test. Radon is common in parts of Michigan, and test kits are inexpensive. Check the Washtenaw County Health Department for current kit availability.

Getting Ready for Snow

• Line up snow removal now if you plan to hire a service. Good plow companies fill their routes early.

• Tune up the snowblower and buy fuel before the first storm.

• Stock up on shovels and ice melt. Choose a pet-safe and concrete-safe product if you have pets or new concrete.

• Mark the edges of your driveway with reflective stakes so plows and snowblowers don't damage lawn or landscaping.

• Build a simple emergency kit: flashlights, batteries, water, blankets, phone chargers, and any medications.

When to Call a Pro

Plenty of this list is DIY-friendly, but some jobs are best left to licensed professionals: roof repairs, furnace service, chimney sweeping, electrical work, and anything that requires working high on a ladder. If you need a recommendation, our team keeps a list of trusted local vendors and is always happy to share it.

Why This Matters for Your Home's Value

Regular maintenance isn't just about avoiding a bad winter. When it's time to sell, a well-documented maintenance history (service receipts, a newer furnace filter routine, a dry basement) gives buyers confidence and can make inspections go more smoothly. Keep a simple folder or spreadsheet of what you did and when.

Protect Your Investment This Season

Your home is likely one of your biggest investments, and a little seasonal care goes a long way.

At LIVgreat Real Estate, our relationship doesn't end at closing. Want our printable fall maintenance checklist or a list of trusted local contractors? Reach out to our team. We're happy to help, whether you're buying, selling, or simply settling in.

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Written by LIVgreat Real Estate, your trusted Washtenaw County real estate experts.

Email: hello@livgreatrealestate.com

Website: https://livgreatrealestate.com

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