08/29/2026
🍂 THE “BER” MONTHS ARE ALMOST HERE…
SeptemBER → OctoBER → NovemBER → DecemBER.
In Maine, that means it's time to start getting the house ready for what's coming. ❄️
Before winter arrives:
🍂
1.Look UP before the leaves fall. Check your roof for missing/damaged shingles, flashing problems, and anything that looks questionable.
2.Clean the gutters AND check the downspouts. Leaves are obvious, but make sure water is actually being carried away from the foundation.
3.Walk around your foundation. Look for new cracks, gaps, deteriorating areas, and places where water collects against the house.
4.Check where everything enters the house. Pipes, wires, vents and utility penetrations can leave small gaps. Those gaps can mean drafts, moisture—and an invitation for mice looking for winter accommodations.
5.Inspect decks, stairs and railings. A loose stair tread in August gets considerably more interesting when it's covered in ice.
6.Check exterior faucets. Disconnect hoses, shut off and drain lines where appropriate, and winterize outdoor plumbing before the first hard freeze.
Look for air leaks. Check around windows and exterior doors for failed caulking, damaged weatherstripping, and noticeable drafts.
7.Check attic insulation AND ventilation. Heat escaping into the attic can contribute to snow melting on the roof and potentially refreezing near the eaves.
8.Trim questionable branches. Snow and ice add a lot of weight. Dead or damaged limbs hanging over the house, garage, driveway, or power lines deserve attention before winter.
9.Don't forget the camp. Seasonal properties need their own winterization plan: plumbing, water systems, docks/boats, access, rodents, roof condition and anything that won't appreciate sitting unattended through a Maine winter.
Don't wait for the first snowstorm to discover the thing you could have fixed in September.
📌 SAVE this checklist and knock out a few things each weekend this fall.
What would you add to the list?
