As the weather starts to shift, October is the month to catch small issues before they turn into bigger, more expensive problems once winter sets in.
Examine Your Foundation
Source: WIN Home Inspection
Take a walk around your home and check the foundation for cracks. It might seem minor now, but it can cause real trouble once winter rain hits, since water seeping into a crack and then freezing only makes the damage worse. Address any cracks immediately rather than waiting until spring, when the problem has had all winter to grow.
Close Up the Pool
There may be a few hot days left this month, but swim season is winding down. When you're ready, clean, close, and cover your pool for winter, or call your pool maintenance company to handle it for you. Closing it properly now protects the liner, equipment, and water chemistry, saving you from a much bigger cleanup come spring.
Shut Off Sprinklers
Shut your sprinkler system off for the winter to protect it from freezing temperatures. Water left sitting in the lines can freeze, expand, and crack the pipes, turning a simple seasonal shutoff into a costly repair if you wait too long. This is one of those tasks that's easy to forget until the damage is already done, and by then you're paying for a full system repair instead of a simple seasonal shutoff.
Inspect Your Sump Pump
Source: PuroClean
Ensure it's in good working order before rain causes a rise in groundwater. A sump pump that fails right when you need it most can lead to serious water damage, so testing it now, while the stakes are still low, gives you time to fix or replace it before the wet season arrives.