3D rendering of a modern-styled living room. Luxurious interiors of a living room with sitting area, fireplace and dining area.
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As the weather turns cooler, you may be tempted to focus on the latest interior design trends to incorporate this autumn. Or, you may be eager to start painting your home with the Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home By Sherwin-Williams 2026 Color of the Year. However, before you start on the fun projects, don’t forget about the not-so-enjoyable home maintenance projects that keep everything working properly.
These are 11 home maintenance mistakes to avoid this fall.
Home Maintenance Mistake 1: Forgetting to Clear The Gutters
Clogged gutters can damage the home’s exterior.
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The water flowing off your roof needs to go somewhere, and if it can’t drain properly, you could be subject to a variety of problems. According to Michael DiMartino, SVP of installations at Power Home Remodeling, this could include damage to the exterior of the home, foundational issues due to grading, and interior water damage from leaks. That’s why he urges homeowners to prioritize clearing their gutters in the fall.
DiMartino explains that each piece of a gutter system works in tandem, so homeowners need to make sure each part is functioning properly. “This means the fascia; gutter sections, connectors, and corners; end caps; and downspouts, and you should specifically focus on the downspouts and downspout extenders, because water needs to be directed away from your home’s foundation in a spot where you want it to go.” Otherwise, he warns that erosion will occur over time in your lawn, flower beds, driveway, or wherever the water continuously drains.
“Homeowners can also install gutter guards — but pro tip: this does not mean that you no longer need to service your gutters, it just means less debris entering the gutter trough.” If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, especially if you have a steep or extremely elevated roof life, he recommends calling in the pros.
Home Maintenance Mistake 2: Overloading Outlets
Use power strips with circuit breakers.
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When the weather gets colder, you may be relying on space heaters – in addition to adding holiday lighting and decorations. “It’s easy to go overboard when you add in holiday lights in addition to your usual load of phone chargers and laptops, but plugging too much into one outlet is a real fire hazard,” warns Dan Mock, vice president of operations at Mister Sparky. He recommends spreading out your devices and lights, and also using power strips with built-in circuit breakers.
Home Maintenance Mistake 3: Ignoring Attic Insulation
Attic insulation keeps warm air from escaping.
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It’s understandable to focus on the home’s exterior when the weather drops, but DiMartino says the real secret to being fall-ready is to starting indoors. “One of the best things you can do before it gets too cold is check the insulation in your attic, since good insulation keeps warm air from escaping, and helps air flow better throughout your home, which can make a big difference in comfort and energy bills.”
When you’re shopping for insulation, he recommends looking for the “R-value” — that number tells you how effective it is. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation performs. “The ideal R-value depends on where you live, but in general, you’ll see R-13 to R-23 used for exterior walls, and R-30, R-38, or even R-49 for attics and ceilings,” DiMartino says.
Home Maintenance Mistake 4: Skipping Lighting Maintenance
Proper lighting is a safety issue.
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With darker mornings and earlier sunsets, proper lighting becomes a safety issue. “Some easy things homeowners can do are to replace all burnt-out bulbs and clean their light fixtures to improve brightness,” says Mock. If your outdoor lighting is on timers, don’t forget to adjust the schedule to account for shorter days. “And if you want to save on energy bills this winter, consider smart lighting, like installing dimmer switches and motion sensors,” Mock advises.
Home Maintenance Mistake 5: Forgetting To Check Your Crawl Space and Window Wells
Cleaning your window well helps to prevent leaks.
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You’re not the only person who likes warm spaces when the temperatures fall. Mock warns that rodents like to nest in warm places like your crawl space – which may have exposed wires. “When those wires become damaged or chewed, it can lead to fire or power issues, so check now before it becomes an expensive, dangerous problem,” he says.
Also, depending on your basement, you might have hopper or awning windows that are accompanied by a hole that’s dug into the ground around it, and DiMartino says this is called a window well. “It’s important for window wells to be cleaned out, so remove any leaves, debris, mulch, or rocks—anything that has made its way into that area.” Next, DiMartino says you should clean the actual window and re-seal any gaps with the appropriate caulk. “Make sure the window is closed and locked tightly.” While window wells can be secured in various ways, he says it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
“Not only is having a clean window well important in preventing possible leaks, but it also allows for full operation of the window and basement ventilation,” DiMartino explains. Since basements are often damp, the ability to open the window so air can flow in and out is crucial.
Home Maintenance Mistake 6: Failing To Service The Furnace And Chimney
A dirty chimney can cause a fire.
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According to the National Fire Protection Association, a dirty chimney is a leading factor in home heating fires. Before you get cozy in front of your fireplace, DiMartino recommends inspecting it first. “Creosotes (flammable gunk that builds up when you burn wood or coal), or tar deposits, can build up in your chimney and need to be knocked down,” he explains.
If a buildup of creosote and tar occurs in your chimney, it can block proper airflow. The smoke and fumes have nowhere to go, and might start leaking back into your home. “That’s a serious risk for both chimney fires and carbon monoxide exposure.” So, if you notice this build-up, DiMartino says you should call a professional chimney sweep service, since this type of company will have tools and the knowledge to tackle the issue and perform complete routine maintenance.
Home Maintenance Mistake 7: Neglecting Your HVAC
Keep Your HVAC unit free from debris.
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One of the easiest ways to maintain your HVAC is to change your filter every one to three months – especially if you have pets or host guests quite often. “Dirty filters can reduce airflow, increase dust in your home and strain your heating system,” warns Richie Drew, vice president of operations at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.
He also recommends paying attention if your furnace or heat pump is making buzzing or other strange noises. “A buzzing sound can mean a loose blower motor, broken capacitors or a poorly mounted transformer box – which HVAC professionals can diagnose and repair.”
You should also do a visual check since dust and dirt build up in vents and registers and on ceiling fans. “Before the heat kicks on for the season, vacuum or dust AC registers and vents, wipe down ceiling fan blades, and reverse fan direction to clockwise to help circulate warm air.”
Richie also recommends scheduling a full HVAC system tune-up to help keep your system running safely and efficiently.
Home Maintenance Mistake 8: Forgetting To Weatherstrip And Seal Air Gaps
Weatherstripping helps insulate your home.
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If you have drafty doors or windows, weatherstripping is an easy and affordable DIY fix. Sealants like weatherstripping and caulking are designed to keep air inside, and DiMartino explains you will have a well-insulated home without any energy loss.
“Even if there’s already some sealant there, you can check for air leaks with a simple trick — just hold a lit candle near the spot where you feel a draft. If the flame stays still, you’re good — but if it flickers, there’s probably a leak letting air in,” he says.
Also, look for gaps or cracks in the foundation, as DiMartino warns foundation cracks can also be indicative of more significant issues than air leakage. “You also want to look in areas where you have installed vents, like for your dryer or attic.” When cooling or heating systems are installed, he says you’re creating a hole and then surrounding that with building material — like siding or stucco — behind that vent. “Proper sealing around all air ducts and vents can help eliminate air from escaping,” he explains.
Home Maintenance Mistake 9: Failing to Protect Your Pipes
Protect pipes exposed to extreme temperatures.
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According to Joseph Wade, vice president of operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, pipes both inside and outside the home that are exposed to extreme temperatures (like in basements, attics and crawl spaces) should always be insulated. “Otherwise, they can burst, flood your home, and possibly interrupt your drinking water supply,” he warns. Wade also recommends taking the time to check exposed pipes for signs of damage or corrosion, and seal gaps or cracks near pipes to block cold air from seeping in.
Home Maintenance Mistake 10: Ignoring Small Leaks And Drainage Problems
A small drip can turn into a major problem.
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Don’t underestimate the important of small leaks in your home. “Check faucets, showerheads and pipe joints for drips, and inspect around the base of toilets and water heaters,” Wade advises. Also, watch your water meter for unexplained spikes in usage, which, he explains, can be a telltale sign of hidden leaks. (Check out the 10 Bathroom Design Trends You’ll Want to Incorporate.)
In addition, he recommends paying attention to standing water close to your home. “Water that can’t drain away properly can freeze, back up, and damage your home’s foundation.” In addition to cleaning gutters (that’s the first tip on this list), Wade says you should check out outdoor drains for debris.
Home Maintenance Mistake 11 : Failing To Do A House Audit
A quarterly audit can help you identify problems quickly.
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It’s debatable if homeowners should do a full house audit each season; however, DiMartino says fall might be the most important time for one. “Before temperatures really drop and the weather in the majority of the country starts to pose cause for concern, fall is the perfect time to tackle home maintenance projects.”
He recommends walking the entire perimeter of the home, and then do the same on the inside. “You want to look for things like the state of your siding, brick, or stucco and make sure everything is intact without any cracks or holes; or see if there’s anything to address on your roof so that everything under underneath remains protected.”
On the inside of your home, DiMartino advises checking to see if any of your windows are looking a little worse for wear, or if doors are letting air in and out through unwanted gaps or cracks. “When you start to do these house audits more regularly, it’ll be easy to spot a home maintenance problem with things like your roof, windows, or siding when it first pops up, and homeowners can then act quickly.”
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