Fall Home Maintenance 2025 Checklist for Toronto and GTA Homeowners

As the leaves change colours and the air cools, it's a great time to care for your home before winter arrives. A couple of smart weekend jobs now can prevent the mid-winter “why is my home cold or why the water is coming through the ceiling?” moment. We asked friends, neighbours and local Pros what actually matters before the freeze.

In this article, you’ll find a fall and winter prep list created in three layers—Must Do, Should Do, and Nice to do. There’s also a GTA timing planner, a DIY vs Pro decision guide and a printable one-page checklist. So whether you’re a busy parent or a home-prep superstar, you can knock out the essentials first and keep going if you’ve got time.

Must-Do (the essentials)

Protect your home and avoid big repair bills:

Shut off and drain outdoor water lines 

Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses to prevent frozen pipes. If your outdoor faucets have an indoor shut-off valve, turn it off and drain the line, too.

Why it matters: This five-minute task prevents the most common winter insurance claim.

No shut-offs or unsure if your faucet is frost-free? Add an insulated cover now (see photo below) and book a quick check with a locally referred plumber.

Clean gutters and downspouts

Every litre of rain on your roof needs a clear path away from your siding and foundation. Clogged gutters force water behind shingles or onto your foundation and can set up ice dams. Plan a clean after most leaves have fallen and add a spring clean on tree-heavy streets.

Pro tip: Walk the perimeter in a light rain and/or check from your windows. If you see water spilling over, it’s time to clean your gutters.

Prefer to stay off ladders? Hire a locally referred gutter cleaner. Most Toronto / GTA homes pay on average $150–$350 per visit. Factors affecting the price include house size, number of storeys, roof pitch, ease of access, how many trees, and the types of trees.

Service your heating system

Swap the furnace filter (or clean HRV/ERV filters), check the thermostat, and listen for odd noises. Clear debris around outdoor heat-pump units and keep about 18 inches for airflow.

If anything feels off, book a locally referred HVAC Pro. If your HVAC is rented, you might be eligible for a free annual check. Call your provider and check before calling other Pros.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Ontario requires smoke alarms on every floor and outside all sleeping areas. Homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage need carbon monoxide alarms. Here’s what you can do:

• Make sure you have alarms on every floor

• Hold the TEST button on each unit

• Replace batteries if needed

• Replace any unit if it’s 10 years or older (even if it seems working).

Should-Do (the next priority)

Do these next for comfort and efficiency:

Deal with leaves (rake, mulch, or compost)

This is probably the most obvious fall activity of all, which you’re already a pro at. A thick mat of leaves smothers lawns and invites pests. If left until spring, it’s also wetter and harder to pick.

Good alternatives to raking are mulching leaves with the mower to return nutrients to the soil. You can also add some leaves on flower beds for a protective layer and composting.

Bag anything else you don’t need and make sure you don’t miss the last yard waste pick up. This happens in Toronto and the GTA between the end of November and the first two weeks in December.

Side note: We’ll send you reminders of your last yard waste pick up. To receive it, make sure you’re subscribed to our email list here [link to email preferences].

Cover your AC unit(s)

If the manufacturer suggests it, cover the top of your AC unit to keep out debris. Leave the sides open to stop moisture buildup.

Schedule a fireplace inspection if you plan to use it

Creosote and soot buildup happens when you often use your fireplace. You can also reduce the risk of Carbon monoxide with an annual sweep. While this is crucial for wood-burning fireplaces, gas ones can also benefit from a seasonal clean.

• Wood-burning fireplaces need a yearly chimney check and cleaning.

• Gas fireplaces should get inspected by a licensed HVAC Pro each year.

Seal gaps around doors and windows

Weatherstripping and caulk keeps heat in and drafts/pests out. This is a half-day job with a big comfort payoff (or less depending on the number of windows and doors).

For doors, use weatherstripping for the sides and top. For the bottom, door sweep or door shoe will work. For larger gaps between the door frame and the wall, use caulk or expanding foam.

For windows, there are different weatherstripping options, depending if it’s a sliding window or not. Here’s a quick guide on how to go about it. And if you like videos, this one is good too.

Trim trees and branches near your house.

Dead or overhanging limbs snap in storms, damaging roofs, siding, or knocking out power. Prune small branches with proper tools and a steady ladder; hire an arborist for anything large or near hydro lines.

Nice to do (when you have time)

Get ahead for winter and spring:

Wash windows, screens, and siding for more winter light and longer-lasting finishes. If your windows are accessible there are several guides out there for DIY. This is an easy one to follow. If your windows aren’t accessible, it might be best to hire a professional.

Store outdoor furniture to protect it from snow and ice. You probably do this or you don’t. You can probably get by with some furniture outside if it’s covered under a patio, or gazebo, but it does look older and it will get affected by the elements over time.

Switch your ceiling fans to reverse, usually clockwise, at low speed to push warm air down. Similar to how you would set the fans to run counterclockwise in the summer to bring the cold air up, setting your ceiling fan to clockwise in the winter brings the hot air down. There’s usually a switch to change the direction on the body of the fan.

Stock up on winter supplies Stocking up on winter supplies can be different for different households and risk tolerance. Some do the winter essentials and are ready with salt, sand and shovels. Others are gearing up for emergencies.

If you’d like to get started on emergency home and car kits, this is a good resource by the government of Canada. The idea is to have your household self-sufficient for 72 hours, in case of a power outage.

Add a bit of seasonal lighting or decorations. It’s a long season—make it cozy.

Test and service your snow blower  if you have one. This ensures you know it’ll be ready for the first snowfall. A well maintained snow blower can last 10-15 years.

If you’re considering snow removal services, fall is the time to find and book snow removal Pros. Pros typically finalize their snow routes in September to early October.

Extra tasks to consider

These are not annual, but once done, they can improve your home for years.

Insulate exposed pipes

Add foam sleeves to pipe lines in cold spaces (basement, garage, crawl space) to prevent freezing and reduce heat loss. This can be a DIY project, with the right measurements and tools. Here’s a handy step by step guide that we found during our research.

Not sure which pipe lines need insulation or need help? A handyman in your neighbourhood can flag the critical ones quickly and help you insulate them.

Check the grading and drainage around your home

While not seasonal, fall is a good time to check if any work is needed, before water turns into mini skating rings.

After a rainfall, look for pooling near the foundation. Extend downspouts and regrade so water flows away from the house. If pooling persists, have a Pro check gutters and ground slope together.

Check attic insulation and ventilation

Thin attic insulation and poor airflow contribute to heat loss and ice dams. If insulation sits level with or below the joists—or you spot moisture/mildew—book a Pro for assessment. Typically Pros would offer inspection for free. Some attic upgrades also qualify for Ontario rebates.

Inspect your roof for missing shingles or damage

Heat and summer storms loosen shingles and flashing. From the ground (using binoculars or phone zoom), look for missing or curled shingles, loose flashing, or piles of granules in gutters. Unsure? Call for an inspection. A small repair now beats a mid-winter leak.

Need help? See the roofers your neighbours are working with. [link to the dashboard]

Duct cleaning 

This is something you’d want to do every 3–5 years (or sooner after renovations or having a pet that sheds lots of hair). Duct cleaning improves air flow and quality. It also makes your HVAC system work with ease and more efficiently.

While you can clean vents on the surface, this is one of the jobs that are better suited for Pros.

When to do what in Toronto and the GTA - a fall timeline

September– October

• Shut off and drain outdoor taps; detach hoses.

• Book gutter cleaning if you don’t DIY.

• Swap furnace/HRV filters and test the thermostat.

• Book a snow removal service (if you’re planning on it)

November

• Heating tune-up if anything felt off in testing.

• Test smoke & carbon monoxide alarms; replace batteries and/or old units.

• Get your gutters cleaned when most leaves have fallen

DIY vs Pro: how to decide without second-guessing

If you find yourself unsure if you need to hire a Pro, use these lenses: height, hazard, time, and hidden costs.

• Height: If a ladder feels wobbly—or you’re looking at second-storey gutters, steep pitches, or tree limbs over the roof—hire it out. A $200 gutter clean beats a fall.

• Hazard: Gas, electrical, structural, and chimney work carry real risk. Do the visual checks and simple air-sealing yourself; bring in licensed Pros for the rest.

• Time: We all have great lists of things to do around the house and we know how to do it, but we don’t get to it because we’re busy with work, life, kids..etc. be realistic about your time and whether you do have the bandwidth to get it done.

• Hidden costs: If a task needs special tools (masonry saws, HEPA vacs for creosote), a Pro is usually cheaper than buying/learning/disposing.

  
  

  When in doubt, get one quote; the scope a Pro outlines often clarifies what you can do yourself and what to outsource.