The days are getting shorter, the leaves are starting to turn and winter will be here before you know it. Taking care of a few key maintenance tasks this fall can help protect your home from cold temperatures, heavy rain and unexpected repair bills.

From quick DIY checks to bigger jobs that may require a professional, BCAA Task Marketplace can help connect you with local providers who can get the job done. Start with these 6 essential fall home maintenance tips.

1. Clean your gutters

Clear out your gutters before the leaves fall and clog them up. Your roof's drainage system protects your house by diverting thousands of litres of water away from your home's exterior and foundation walls to prevent nasty leaks. It's crucial you keep the system flowing smoothly. Here’s how to clean your gutters, and consider covering them with mesh gutter guards to keep the leaves out.

With more frequent atmospheric river events hitting BC in the fall, well-maintained gutters and downspouts are one of the simplest ways to reduce your risk of water damage. Hot tip: Check your home insurance has optional water coverages added, like Outdoor Drain and Surface Water Coverage, for added protection in the event water finds a way into your home.

2. Inspect your roof

A leaky roof can be an expensive hassle. Once the dripping starts, it can be tough and time-consuming to find the source of the problem. Best to stop any problems this fall before winter winds and ice transform the drips from an annoyance into a disaster.

Inspect your roof from top to bottom and use binoculars as needed. Check your ridge shingles for wind damage and cracks. Check the metal strips (called flashing) where roof slopes meet and around your chimneys and vents for damage. Search your whole roof for shingles that are missing, curled or damaged. Look inside your gutters for big clumps of granules, as this is a sign your roof is losing its coating which can lead to bigger problems.

3. Seal those leaks

Cold winds are the enemy to a comfortable winter. Gaps in your caulk and weatherstripping allow cold air to barge into your warm home. If you seal up your drafty house, you can save big on your heating bills.

Weatherstripping is your most cost-effective way to lower your heating and cooling costs. It stops drafts and helps keep your home a comfortable temperature all year round.

It does deteriorate over time, so inspect your weatherstripping to see how it’s holding up. If you see a problem with your weatherstripping (gaps, cracking, peeling off), try closing your window or door on a piece of paper. If the paper slides out easily, your weatherstripping isn't doing its job.

4. Caulk the gaps

Check for missing or damaged caulk around windows, doors, entry points and holes for electrical wiring, phone and gas lines. If you see a gap, seal it with caulk (here’s how to use a caulk gun). If those window drafts persist, you may want to get your windows replaced. Installing glass with multiple panes or spacers will typically solve these problems.

Better sealing also helps in summer. The same gaps that let cold air in during winter let cool air escape during heat waves, so this is a year-round comfort and energy win.

5. Protect your faucets from freezing

Shut-off any valves that serve your outdoor faucets. Then you want to open your faucets to drain the line (there might be a small cap on your faucet that you can loosen to help the draining). If you don't have shut-off valves and your faucets aren’t ‘freeze–proof’ types, you can get styrofoam faucet covers at most home improvement stores.

To freeze-proof your underground sprinklers, follow the manufacturer's instructions for draining your system and protecting it from the ravages of winter.

6. Check your furnace

Once a year, hire a pro to inspect your heating system. You should also clean or replace your furnace filter. When your filter gets clogged up, it’s harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, which then increases your hydro bills.

You can combat those expenses with simple monthly cleanings to keep your filters free of dust and debris. You can vacuum disposable filters once before replacing them. You can also vacuum foam filters, but you won’t need to replace them unless they’re damaged. If your furnace filter is metal or electrostatic, remove and wash it with a strong water spray.

Made the switch to a heat pump? The same rules apply — book an annual professional service and clean or replace the filters regularly, especially heading into the heating season when your system works hardest.

Don't wait for wildfire season, start preparing in the fall

If you live in an area at risk of wildfire, fall is a good time get a FREE FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program home assessment to receive a list of property specific recommendations to reduce your home’s risk to wildfire. Completing an assessment means you’re eligible for 15% off your BCAA Home Insurance*, with further savings upon obtaining FireSmart certification! If your area doesn’t have the FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program or you want to get a head start on reducing your property’s wildfire risk, check out the FireSmart BC Begins With You Guide.

Don’t forget to also do a top-to-bottom review of your home's safety features. Here's how to test your:

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire escape plans

If your home has a wood-burning fireplace, fall is also a good time to schedule a chimney inspection and check that your fireplace and flue are in good working order. Regular maintenance can help prevent fire hazards and keep your home safer throughout the heating season.

Stay protected year round

At BCAA, we know how to build a custom home insurance policy to protect your home and provide peace of mind. Year around, you can take comfort in knowing that BCAA Home Insurance paid out on 95% of claims for fire, water, weather and theft.**  BCAA Members save 10%, plus can earn 1% in loyalty savings every year, up to an additional 10%. Plus, you'll save 5% in your first year when you buy home insurance online. To get a quote today, visit bcaa.com/home.

^{Home Insurance is sold through B.C.A.A. Holdings Ltd. dba BCAA Insurance Agency, a licensed insurance agency, and underwritten by BCAA Insurance Corporation.}

^{*15% off is available for one-term for both new and renewing BCAA customers. An additional 10% off into perpetuity is available upon presentation of a FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program Certificate of Completion. Offer subject to change.
**From 2021 to 2025, BCAA paid out over 95% of home insurance claims related to fire, water, weather and theft. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.}