Fall home & cabin checklist

Get ahead of the first snow

Winter in Summit and Wasatch counties is long, cold and snowy, and it tends to show up early. Snow can fly in October at higher elevations around Kamas, Park City and Heber. A few hours of fall prep stops drafts, keeps meltwater away from your foundation and saves you from fixing a railing in a snowbank.

Here's the checklist we use for full-time homes, cabins and vacation rentals across the Wasatch Back. Do what you can yourself, and send us the rest.

Gutters and downspouts

• Clear leaves, pine needles and roof grit from gutters after most of the fall drop.
• Make sure every downspout runs clear and its elbow sends water away from the foundation, deck or walkway.
• Re-secure sagging runs and loose hangers before snow and ice add weight.
• Consider gutter guards if aspens or pines hang over the roof.

Want help with this? See gutter cleaning & replacement.

Doors, windows and drafts

• Check weatherstripping on exterior doors and replace any that's cracked, flattened or missing.
• Add or replace door sweeps so cold air and snow don't blow in under the door.
• Adjust doors that stick or don't latch. Wood swells and shifts as the weather changes.
• Look for gaps around window and door trim and seal what you find.

Want help with this? See snow-season prep.

Outdoor water and hose bibs

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses before the first hard freeze.
• Put insulated covers on outdoor hose bibs.
• Book a sprinkler blowout with an irrigation company, and call a plumber for full plumbing winterization.

Want help with this? See snow-season prep.

Decks, stairs, railings and gates

• Walk the deck and stairs for loose railings, popped screws and soft or split boards.
• Fix wobbly railings and stair treads now, before they're covered in snow and ice.
• Tighten or re-hang gates that drag so they still open after a few storms.
• Move furniture and planters off spots where snow will pile up or slide off the roof.

Want help with this? See deck & fence repairs.

Entries and mudrooms

• Add hooks, a boot rack or a bench by the door for ski and snow gear.
• Check entry lights, house numbers and handrails so they're easy to find on dark winter evenings.
• Put down a heavy-duty mat to protect floors from slush and grit.

Want help with this? See small carpentry.

Cabins, rentals and second homes

• Schedule a close-down or pre-season check if you won't be up until ski season.
• Fix small things guests reported over the summer before holiday bookings start.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and swap batteries.
• Leave clear notes for guests on doors that need a firm pull and where the snow shovel lives.

Want help with this? See cabin & rental turnovers.

When to start

Mid-September through October is the sweet spot. Clean the gutters last, once most of the leaves and needles are down. Hanging holiday lights? Do it right after, with clips and not nails: see our guide to hanging holiday lights without damaging gutters or heat cables. If you're in Woodland, Samak, Francis or up the Mirror Lake Highway, plan a little earlier, since the higher you are, the sooner the snow sticks.

Where we help with fall prep

• Handyman in Kamas
• Handyman in Park City
• Handyman in Heber City
• Handyman in Oakley
• Handyman in Coalville
• Handyman in Midway
• Handyman in Samak
• Handyman in Hideout
• All towns we serve

Fall prep FAQ

We focus on general handyman work and are not a licensed electrical, plumbing or general contracting company. For jobs that need a licensed trade, we'll tell you upfront and point you in the right direction.

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