As temps get chillier and fall moves in, it’s a great time to plan for pre-winter home cleaning and maintenance. While it’s tempting to put off maintenance tasks until the first flurries fly, getting a jump on things now is easier in more moderate fall weather. Owners of waterfront property in particular should pay close attention to pre-winter maintenance to ensure property health and longevity. Using a fall waterfront home checklist like the following created by ADKPP can be a lifesaver in helping you get organized and get things done.
At ADKPP, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Adirondack Premier Properties, we try to help Adirondack buyers and sellers protect their investments year-round. Whether your home is on one of the larger lakes like Lake Placid or a smaller waterway like the Saranac River, this fall cleaning and maintenance checklist will help you safeguard your property before winter sets in.
Top 10 Fall Maintenance Checklist for Waterfront Home
1. Inspect and Protect Your Shoreline
Waterfront properties can experience some pretty intense exposure to fluctuating water levels, wind and ice. With this in mind, inspect your shoreline to see if anything has changed between seasons. Some aspects to consider in your inspection:
- If you have a retaining wall, look for cracks or erosion. With winter on its way, these could freeze, expand with ice and melt in the spring, causing more damage.
- Check for shifting stones. Depending on your shoreline, larger stones can shift with water flow and cause additional damage.
- Remove seasonal furniture and secure loose shoreline items. Winter until the middle of spring can be a harsh time for seasonal furniture and shoreline items due to storms and weather swings.
- Mark dock locations. This ensures that removable docks that come out for winter can be easily re-installed in spring.
Additionally, if you have a removable dock, now is the time to pull it before the water gets too cold or freezes over. Ice damage is one of the most common and costly waterfront repairs in the Adirondacks.
2. Winterize Your Dock and Boating Equipment
Depending on how your property is set up, plan to winterize your dock, boathouse and boating equipment. Before temperatures drop below freezing, make time for these to do’s:
- Remove and Store Docks (if not permanent) – Do this before the water is too cold and waterways freeze over. Depending on your docking system, find a strong group of helpers to pull dock sections from the water to stow on nearby shoreline for secure winter storage.
- Lift Boats and Drain Engines – Lifting boats from the water and draining engines protects critical systems from freezing over the winter and risking expansion and broken parts. Also, consider plastic wrapping your boat for an additional layer of protection.
- Store Boat Lifts and Secure Hardware – Once boats are lifted, depending on your system, the lift may need to be stored and hardware secured.
- Shut Off and Drain Waterlines – Any 3-season boathouse or a storage area by the water that is not insulated needs some extra attention. Be sure to turn off and drain waterlines. Failure to do this could lead to expensive burst pipe and collateral damage repairs that could be more likely in a harsh Adirondack winter.
- Start Bubblers – Depending on the waterfront structure, consider a bubbler/de-icer that sits at the edge of your boathouse or dock. This keeps water moving, so ice can’t fully freeze and the structure is protected from additional damage.
Taking your time or hiring a professional to winterize these areas can prevent cracked pipes or mechanical damage that could potentially compound and go unnoticed until spring.
3. Clean Gutters & Manage Falling Leaves
They call fall “fall” for a reason. This time of the year leads to leaves falling as well as sticks and other debris. Most Adirondack homes are surrounded by beautiful hardwood forests leaving them susceptible to leaves and debris clogging drainage systems around the property.
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Ensure water drains away from the foundation
- Clear roof valleys and check flashing
- Rake leaves away from septic fields
Proper drainage is especially critical for waterfront homes where excess runoff can impact both the foundation and the lake. Taking your time and making it part of your regular schedule can help make this a more minimal job. Neglecting it can lead to property damage as winter freeze transitions into spring thaw and leaks spring up.
4. Service Heating Systems & Fireplaces
While the crisp air provides a relief from the heat of summer, it also provides a reminder of the cold winter to come. Adirondack winters can be long and harsh, so making sure that your heating systems and fireplaces are ready to go should be one of your top priorities. Preparing early provides a head start over others who may wait.
- Schedule furnace or boiler servicing
- Inspect propane or oil tanks
- Clean and inspect chimneys
- Stock seasoned firewood in a dry location
A pre-winter inspection reduces emergency calls in the heart of the winter when many service providers are often fully booked. Also, if you are in need of seasoned firewood, calling early can help ensure you’re stocked up for winter. As the winter season arrives, you may find it more difficult to find seasoned wood or the pricing may become even more expensive.
5. Protect Your Plumbing From Freezing
If your waterfront property is seasonal, take the time to carefully winterize your property:
- Shut off main water supply
- Drain pipes and water heaters
- Add antifreeze to drains (where appropriate)
- Insulate exposed pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter vacant home damages we see that result in homeowners insurance claims.
6. Inspect Roof & Exterior
With Adirondack winters being so long and harsh, it is not uncommon for heavy snowfall or ice to build up over the season. Check your roof and exterior for any already damaged areas or damages that could worsen significantly with winter weather.
- Check Shingles for Damage – Loose shingles can occur throughout the year. Damage from debris or a freeze thaw cycle causing ice and water to build up are common causes.
- Inspect for Moss or Algae Growth – Moss and algae growth usually points to a moist environment that comes with being located close to water. Don’t let organic growth accumulate to the point where it becomes a factor that contributes to roof or exterior rot.
- Trim Overhanging Branches – Snow and ice can start to weigh down trees near your property causing wind or the weight itself to break branches. Branches both dead and alive can come down on your structures leading to major damage.
- Seal Exterior Wood Surfaces – If it’s been a while since you sealed your exterior wood surfaces, comfortable fall days provide the perfect opportunity to re-seal your property. If you do not have a wood surfaced exterior, it’s still smart to do a walk around to check for things that need attention. Check for new damage to siding or pieces that may have fallen off during storms.
Catching these small issues before winter can prevent major structural damage when the freeze-thaw cycles start up at the end of the season.
7. Septic & Well System Check
Depending on property location, you may not be connected community water and septic. Many Adirondack waterfront properties are on their own septic and well system with some properties even drawing water from the waterway. These systems need some extra attention to maintain properly:
- Pump Septic, If Due – Generally pump out your tank every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of the tank, property and amount of usage.
- Inspect Well Cap and Casing – Make sure there is no cracking or damage that could lead to further damage.
- Check Filtration System – Depending on the well or water system, check the filtration system to make sure it’s running correctly. This may already be part of your routine, but it can vary system to system on frequency.
- Mark Septic Components Before Snowfall – Marking your septic components can provide useful safeguard markers when it comes time for snow removal. Make sure markers are tall enough to be visible with big snowfall and place them before the ground freezes.
Routine maintenance of your well and septic systems protects your property and the waterway.
8. Wildlife Prevention
While many Adirondackers enjoy the wildlife that surrounds us, we become less appreciative during the colder months when they seek warmth in the interior of our properties. Take these steps to keep your property critter free:
- Seal small foundation cracks
- Check attic vents and soffits
- Store trash securely
- Remove bird feeders near the home
Preventing entry now saves clean up later and can also protect your property from potential major damage. Animals living in and chewing through parts of your home can be inconvenient, a health hazard and expensive.
9. Prepare For Snow Removal
Fall can be one of the most enjoyable times of the year, but it can also bring a surprise random snowstorm, especially later in the season. Once the snow starts, it’s generally here to stay. Before the first major snowfall, prepare a few things:
- Service Your Snowblower – The first few snowfalls may be cleaned up by a quick shovels, but when the season really starts to pick up, you’ll be thankful to have a snowblower ready. Additionally, depending on your driveway and pathways, you may need to wait for the ground to freeze before you use the snowblower, especially if it is gravel.
- Mark Driveway Edges – Marking your driveway edges provide you with an idea of where the driveway edges are during the winter. In a large snowstorm, this clearly marks a safety area for an easier time moving snow removal equipment on the driveway. If you plan on having plowing services done, this also provides them with areas to plow and not plow.
- Arrange Plowing Services – It is always smart to know a person that offers plowing service in the region. Sometimes the winter storms are just a little bit too big for you to clear everything like you normally would with a snowblower. You may also need some of the snow banks that have built up to be cut back. If you plan on having someone plow your driveway, reach out early to get on their list to ensure your snow removal needs are met.
- Store Ice Melt and Shovels in Accessible Locations – Winter weather in the Adirondacks brings various snow conditions from light and fluffy to wet and heavy. Make sure to store shovels in accessible areas to clean up the main paths in and out of your home. Sometimes, wet and heavy snow freezes leading to icy areas along paths. Be sure to have some ice melt and sand around that can be used to help traction walkways and melt ice.
Note that properties with a long, private driveway will require plenty of early planning before the snow flies.
10. Remember Why Fall Maintenance Matters For Property Value
Well maintained waterfront properties around the Adirondacks are the jewels that stand out around the region. This leads to a strong and consistent value for many. Sellers who are attentive to every aspect of their property are rewarded. Buyers searching for a well-cared for waterfront property focus first on general aspects of the property. As they narrow down their search, they typically become more narrowly focused on aspects like:
- Shoreline Stability
- Dock Condition
- Septic Health
- Roof Integrity
- Signs of Damage
If you are considering selling in the next year, taking the extra time for proactive fall maintenance can directly impact inspection outcomes and buyer confidence when it comes time to sell.
Thinking About Selling Before The Winter?
Fall can be an excellent time to list your waterfront property in the Adirondacks. While the market is generally slowed from the summer rush, fall provides serious buyers with reduced inventory and less competition. Our ADKPP team specializes in marketing Lake Placid region waterfront properties ranging from quiet coves to premier lakefront estates.
If you are interested in potentially selling we are happy to provide a market evaluation and discuss the best timing to reach potential buyers. We are here to help!
Contact one of our experienced real estate agents today to start your next real estate journey. Contact us here or call 518-523-3333.