October Home Maintenance for White Rock and South Surrey

October is when the rain stops being a visitor on the peninsula and moves in for the winter. A dry, warm house in January is mostly built this month.

Gutters and downspouts

Give them one more clearing after the big leaf drop, and make sure the water is directed well away from the foundation.

Perimeter drains

Rake leaves off the catch basins, and book a drain flush before the first big storm, not after.

Heat

Switch the system over, replace the filter and run it for an hour before the first cold snap. If you have a wood fireplace, this is chimney sweep month.

Outdoor taps

Shut off and drain the hose bibs before the first frost, and blow out the irrigation lines if that hasn't been done yet.

Windows and air

Run bathroom fans longer and wipe wet window sills, so winter mould never gets started.

Storm prep

Test the sump pump, trim branches that hang over the roof, and restock the power-outage kit.

Quick answers

When should I clean my gutters? Once more after the big leaf drop in October, even if you did them in the summer.

When should perimeter drains be flushed? Before the first big storm, not after.

When should I shut off outdoor taps? Before the first frost. Drain the hose bibs and blow out irrigation lines at the same time.

How often should a wood fireplace chimney be swept? Once a year is the usual advice, and October, before regular fires start, is a good time.