How To Prepare Your Home For Fall

Insurance Neighbor • September 16, 2020

Share this article

Stone house with a front porch and chimney, surrounded by autumn trees in warm evening light

  • Check for drafts: Reduce your heating bills and stay warmer in the fall and winter months by caulking or sealing any cracks in doors and windows to help prevent drafts.
  • Put up storm windows: Store removable screens when the weather gets cooler and install storm windows in their place.
  • Clean your chimney and fireplace: Clear out any wood and ash from the fireplace and have a professional clean and inspect the chimney to help keep smoke, soot, and carbon monoxide out of your home. Make sure the damper closes tightly to help reduce drafts.
  • Winterize your air conditioning: Unplug and store removable window air conditioning units. If you have central air, cover your outdoor unit to prevent ice and debris from causing damage. With an HVAC system, you will need to switch the thermostat from cooling to heating, change the filter, and clean the air ducts.
  • Drain your water heater: Now is the time to drain the water from your water heater and clean out any debris that has settled at the bottom of the tank.
  • Clean gutters: Leaves, debris, and animal nests should be cleared out of your drainpipe and gutters to keep them from clogging. Check for leaks at the same time.
  • Replace batteries in smoke detectors: Before you start lighting fires to take the chill out of the room, replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to ensure they are working properly.
  • Shut off outdoor faucets: Before the first freeze, drain your garden hoses and disconnect them from outdoor spigots. Shut off the faucets and store your hoses in a dry place.
  • Inspect trees for damaged limbs: A winter storm can cause tree limbs to break off, damaging nearby structures. Prune your trees to remove any damaged limbs that may be susceptible to breakage or are too close to power lines or structures such as a balcony or roof.
  • Store outdoor furniture: The end of summer is the time to clean and store your lawn furniture. Keep outdoor furniture in a dry place over the winter months.
  • Inspect the roof: If you can do so safely, check the roof and look for loose, damaged, or missing shingles. If you have a flat roof, remove leaves and debris that have accumulated over the summer months.

Make Sure You Have The Right Homeowners Insurance

Recent Posts

White boat docked beside a white camper on a grassy lakeshore under a cloudy sky.
By Insurance Neighbor • August 16, 2026
Summer is peak season for recreational vehicles. Whether you're out on the water with a boat, exploring the country in an RV, or hitting a trail on an ATV, August brings some of the highest usage of the year for these vehicles, and that makes it a great time to make sure your insurance coverage is in order. Many people assume their standard auto or…
Man reviewing papers at a café table with a laptop, smartphone, and white chair beside him
By Insurance Neighbor • August 4, 2026
What general liability insurance covers and why every Albany, NY small business needs it. V. Mathis Insurance Agency, 20+ years local. Request a quote today.
Two people sitting in a car, one driving and one in the passenger seat, both smiling.
By Insurance Neighbor • August 1, 2026
Every August, millions of families prepare for back-to-school, and for households with a newly licensed teen, that checklist includes an important question: Is your auto insurance ready? Adding a teenager to your auto insurance policy is one of the most significant coverage changes a family can make. Teen drivers are statistically among the highest-risk drivers on the road, which affects both your coverage needs and…
White cargo van driving down a palm-lined residential street at dusk.
By Insurance Neighbor • July 19, 2026
Whether your business relies on a single work truck or a fleet of delivery vans, the vehicles you use for business purposes likely need more than a standard personal auto insurance policy. Commercial auto insurance is designed to cover vehicles used for business operations and can provide protections that personal policies typically do not. Understanding the difference between the two can help business owners avoid…
Two people carrying boxes up stairs in a bright apartment during a move
By Insurance Neighbor • July 16, 2026
If you rent your home, apartment, or condo, you may assume that your landlord's insurance policy protects your belongings. Unfortunately, that's a common misconception—and a costly one. A landlord's insurance policy typically covers the physical structure of the building but not the personal property of the people who live in it. Renters insurance is designed to fill that gap, and it's often more affordable than…
Two coworkers collaborating at a desk with dual monitors in a bright office
By Insurance Neighbor • July 4, 2026
When most people think of cyberattacks, they picture large corporations making headline news after a major data breach. But the reality is that small businesses are frequent targets of cybercriminals—and often less prepared to handle the financial and operational fallout. Cyber liability insurance is designed to help businesses manage the costs associated with data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber incidents. If your business stores…
Two men in a car, one driving and one in the back seat drinking from a bottle
By Insurance Neighbor • July 1, 2026
Rideshare driving has become a popular way for millions of Americans to earn extra income. Whether you drive for a transportation network company full time or just on weekends, it's important to understand how your auto insurance applies—and where it may fall short. Many drivers are surprised to learn that their personal auto insurance policy may not cover them while they're working on a rideshare…
Person writing at a desk in a workshop, with boxes and tools on the walls and a laptop nearby.
By Insurance Neighbor • June 18, 2026
If you own a small or medium-sized business, you've probably heard the term "Business Owner's Policy" or BOP. It's one of the most common types of commercial insurance, but many business owners aren't sure exactly what it includes — or whether it's the right fit for their needs. Here's a clear breakdown. What Does a BOP Include? A Business Owner's Policy typically combines three core…
Two people laughing in a car, one driving and one clapping, with bright sunlight streaming in.
By Insurance Neighbor • June 16, 2026
School is out, the days are longer, and millions of Americans are gearing up for summer road trips. Before you load up the car and point it toward the horizon, it's worth taking a few minutes to understand what your auto insurance covers — and where the gaps might be. Does Your Current Coverage Travel With You? Good news: your personal auto insurance generally follows…
Person in apron writing on a clipboard at an outdoor coffee cart
By Insurance Neighbor • June 4, 2026
For many businesses, summer is the busiest and most profitable time of year. From restaurants and retail shops to contractors and event venues, the warmer months bring increased foot traffic, more employees, and new operational challenges. That also means new risks — and it's worth making sure your business insurance is ready for the season ahead. Increased Foot Traffic and Premises Liability More customers on…
Show More