Here's a helpful Fall Maintenance Checklist

from www.renovatorsplace.com

Chimney

• make sure there is a screen over the top; critters will seek warmth
• have lining checked
• check brick work for deterioration

Critters -- Now is the time of year when skunks, opossums and raccoons may seek a warm place for the winter.

• Walk the perimeter of the house to make sure that there are no places for friendly. or unfriendly critters to take up residence
• pay close attention to:
  1. corners of the house
  2. underneath steps, decks and patios
  3. near window wells or ground level windows
  4. areas around the garage
  5. any exterior entryways to the basement

Doors and windows

• check the glass for cracks … and that windows repaired in the Spring have been painted
• check the screens for tears; repair now or you may "forget" by Spring
• make sure the caulking around doors and windows is in tact
• in an older house check the "seal" between the window frame and the window
• add weather stripping to seal any gaps

Driveway

• repair (seal) any cracks; icy, freezing weather will only make matters worse
• if you have a gravel driveway, add more gravel where there are obvious low spots

Gutters

• Remove leaves, acorns and other debris
• ensure water will travel uninhibited down the downspouts
• Are there any holes or cracks in the gutters
• are there any areas between gutters and the roof that need to be sealed to avoid water

Insulation -- a well-insulated house literally can provide hundreds of dollars of energy savings throughout the year by keeping you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

• Look in your attic -- is it secure, insulation side down, within the studs,
• in the walls (if not you may need to have it blown in)
• the unfinished basement or crawl space (you may need to staple it to rafters)
• attached garage, primarily against any exterior wall or roof 
• underneath a room that does not sit on a concrete foundation

Tree pruning -- In most areas, prune established trees in late Fall when they are dormant. With new trees, wait until the next year