Gutters, Spigots and Screens: Late-Fall Outdoor Chores to Help a Neighbor With

By late October, most of the leaves in New England have come down, and many of them have landed in gutters, downspouts and window wells. Outdoor faucets that worked all summer are about to face freezing nights. For older homeowners, people with disabilities and anyone short on time, these end-of-season chores can be hard to manage, and skipping them can lead to frozen pipes, ice buildup and water damage later in the winter.

Neighbors can help with many of these tasks, especially the ones that can be done safely from the ground. This guide covers what to do, how to do it safely and when to leave it to professionals.

A Word About Ladders

Falls from ladders cause many serious injuries every year. Cleaning gutters on a two- or three-story New England house is not a casual volunteer job. As a rule for neighborhood helpers:

• Stay on the ground or on a sturdy step stool for low tasks.
• Leave gutter cleaning that requires tall ladders or roof access to experienced, properly equipped professionals.
• Never work near power lines.
• Do not climb ladders in wet, icy or windy conditions.

There is still plenty of useful work that can be done safely from the ground.

Gutters and Downspouts From the Ground

• Look and listen. On a rainy day, check whether water overflows from gutters or pours out at the wrong spot. That is a sign of clogs that may need professional cleaning.
• Clear downspout outlets. Remove leaves and debris from the bottom of downspouts, where they often collect.
• Check extensions and splash blocks. Make sure water flows several feet away from the foundation, not toward it.
• Clear ground-level drains and window wells of leaves.
• Note loose or sagging gutters and let the homeowner know they may need repair.

If gutters clearly need cleaning, help the homeowner find a reputable service. Older homeowners may appreciate help getting a few quotes or making the call.

Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

Water left in outdoor pipes and hoses can freeze, expand and burst pipes inside the wall. Before the first hard freeze:

1. Disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets.
2. Drain hoses by stretching them out on a slight slope, then coil and store them in a garage, shed or basement.
3. Find the indoor shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet, often in the basement near the wall where the faucet is located. Close it if the home has one.
4. Open the outdoor faucet to let remaining water drain out, and leave it open over the winter if the indoor valve is closed, unless the homeowner’s plumber has advised otherwise.
5. Consider insulated faucet covers, which are inexpensive and easy to install.

Some newer homes have frost-free faucets designed to resist freezing, but hoses should still be disconnected. If anyone is unsure about the plumbing, a plumber can help.

Screens, Storm Windows and Doors

• Swap screens for storm windows where the home has them, if they can be reached safely from inside or from the ground.
• Clean and store screens in a dry spot, labeled by window so they are easy to reinstall in spring.
• Check that storm doors close and latch properly.
• Look for gaps around doors and suggest weatherstripping or door sweeps if needed.

Yard and Walkway Prep

• Bring in or cover outdoor furniture, planters and garden decorations that could crack in the cold.
• Empty and store birdbaths and ceramic pots, which can crack when water freezes.
• Clear leaves from walkways, steps and the area around the mailbox.
• Mark the edges of driveways and walkways with reflective stakes to guide snow shoveling later.
• Make sure there is a snow shovel and ice melt available before the first storm.

Check Outdoor Vents and Lights

• Clear leaves and debris from dryer vents and any heating system vents on outside walls. Blocked vents can lead to carbon monoxide problems.
• Replace burned-out bulbs in porch and walkway lights that can be reached safely, since evenings are now dark early.

Approaching a Neighbor

A friendly, specific offer is easiest to accept:

• “I’m disconnecting my hoses this weekend. Want me to do yours, too?”
• “I noticed leaves piling up by your downspouts. I could clear them out Saturday morning.”
• “Would it help if I brought your patio chairs into the garage before the first frost?”

Respect the homeowner’s preferences, and ask before touching anything inside the house, such as plumbing valves.

When to Call a Professional

• Gutters that need cleaning from a tall ladder or the roof
• Leaking or damaged gutters, downspouts or roofing
• Plumbing problems or uncertainty about shutoff valves
• Electrical issues with outdoor lights or outlets
• Any task that feels unsafe

Late-Fall Outdoor Checklist

• Downspout outlets and ground drains cleared
• Gutter clogs noted for professional cleaning
• Hoses disconnected, drained and stored
• Outdoor faucets shut off and drained
• Screens swapped for storms where possible
• Outdoor furniture and pots stored
• Vents clear and porch lights working
• Shovel and ice melt ready

Building a Fall Chore Crew

If several neighbors are willing to help, consider forming a small fall chore crew that visits a few homes on one weekend. Teams of two can handle downspouts, hoses and outdoor furniture quickly, and the crew can make a list of jobs that need professional help.