Home Maintenance Checklist: October Edition

✅ Seal Drafts & Weatherproof Your Home

Inspect windows, doors, and the garage for drafts. Add weather stripping or caulking to seal gaps and improve energy efficiency.

✅ Check Attic & Crawl Spaces

Inspect for signs of rodents, gnawed wires, or insulation damage. Seal gaps around attic hatches, vents or pipes, install rodent-proof mesh where needed, and look for moisture or frost on nails - which can indicate poor insulation or ventilation.

✅ Lawn and Garden Care

Rake leaves, remove annuals, and cut back perennials
💡 Pro Tip: Use a leaf mulcher or lawn mower to shred leaves - it reduces bag volume, saves space, and creates great compost material

Apply a slow-release fall or winter fertilizer to strengthen roots and aerate if needed to improve soil drainage and reduce compaction over the winter

✅ Inspect Gutters & Downspouts (Round Two)

Clear out remaining leaves and debris. Make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation to prevent ice buildup and water damage

✅ Outdoor Furniture & BBQ Prep

Give furniture and your grill a proper send-off before the cold hits. Clean and dry everything to prevent rust and mildew, then cover or store in a shed or garage

For BBQs that aren’t being used after the Fall season, disconnect propane/empty charcoal, deep-clean grates, and lightly oil to prevent corrosion - you’ll thank yourself come spring. In case you missed it, check the full BBQ cleaning and maintenance guide here

✅ Shut Off & Drain Outdoor Water Lines 

Frozen pipes can burst and cause thousands in damage - here’s how to protect yours:

Regular Exterior Faucets (older homes, with interior shut-off + bleeder valve):

1. Disconnect hoses (never leave one attached).
2. Turn off the interior shut-off valve.
3. Open the exterior faucet.
4. Drain any remaining water using the bleeder valve indoors.
5. Optional: Leave the outside faucet open for winter (this relieves pressure).

Frost-Free Hose Bibs (common in newer homes):

1. Disconnect hoses.
2. If your line has an indoor shut-off, close it.
3. Open the outdoor faucet to drain any remaining water.
4. If there’s no indoor shut-off, simply remove the hose and close the faucet, the frost-free design automatically drains the small amount of water left in the exterior pipe when turned off.

💡 Extra Tip:
Add an insulating faucet cover to any outdoor tap that isn’t already frost-protected. Even frost-free ones benefit from extra insulation during deep freezes.

👉 Shop Frost King Faucet Cover - RONA