October 26, 2026 | Homeowner Hacks with Finding Home With Charlotte
We're gaining an extra hour this weekend. Why not give your home a little extra attention, too? 🏡🍂
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m., clocks across Waterloo Region will turn back one hour as daylight saving time ends.
That's right. One glorious extra hour of sleep!
Or, if you have a dog who expects breakfast at precisely the same time every morning, absolutely no extra sleep whatsoever. 🐾😂
But there's something else worth celebrating about the fall time change.
It's a perfect reminder to tackle a few simple home maintenance tasks before colder weather settles into Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Elmira and surrounding communities.
As a local REALTOR®, I believe taking care of your home is just as important as finding the right one.
So grab a coffee, put on your coziest sweater, and let's give your home a little seasonal TLC.
1. Test Your Smoke Alarms
This is the most important task on the list.
In Ontario, working smoke alarms are required on every storey of your home and outside sleeping areas. Additional requirements may apply depending on your home's construction.
Your weekend checklist:
Test each alarm using its test button.
Check the manufacturer's replacement or expiry date.
Replace batteries where required, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Replace alarms that have reached the end of their service life.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, not only when the clocks change.
It's also a good opportunity to review your household fire escape plan.
2. Check Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Important Ontario safety update for 2026!
New carbon monoxide alarm requirements came into effect on January 1, 2026.
For applicable Ontario houses, including those with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages, carbon monoxide alarms are required adjacent to sleeping areas and on every storey, even floors without bedrooms.
The updated rules also affect certain condominiums and apartment units.
Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, making properly installed and working alarms essential.
Check that your alarms meet the requirements for your home, test them according to the manufacturer's instructions and replace any expired devices.
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the building immediately and call 911 from outside. Do not re-enter until emergency responders say it is safe.
3. Update Your Clocks, Timers and Smart Home Settings
Some clocks update automatically. Others apparently believe it's still 2019.
Take a few minutes to check:
Oven, microwave and wall clocks.
Outdoor lighting timers.
Security and camera systems.
Programmable thermostats.
Irrigation controllers and other household schedules.
Earlier sunsets also make this a good time to review your automatic outdoor lighting.
A properly illuminated front entrance is both welcoming and practical.
4. Give Your Furnace a Little Attention
Your heating system is about to become one of the hardest-working members of your household.
Make sure it's ready!
Check your furnace filter and replace it if necessary, according to the equipment manufacturer's recommendations.
If your heating system hasn't had its recommended professional maintenance, now is a good time to arrange it.
Also ensure that supply and return air vents aren't blocked by furniture, rugs or stored belongings.
A little attention now can help prevent inconvenient heating issues when temperatures fall.
5. Inspect Your Dryer Vent
This one is easy to overlook.
We clean the lint trap, start another load, and rarely give the rest of the system much thought.
But lint can accumulate in dryer exhaust ducts and vents, creating a fire hazard.
Clean the lint screen after every load, inspect accessible exhaust components for buildup, and make sure the exterior vent opens properly.
If you notice restricted airflow, excessive drying times or inaccessible buildup, consider professional cleaning.
Your laundry should come out warm. The dryer vent should not become a fire hazard.
6. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Winterize Rain Barrels
Frozen water expands, and outdoor plumbing doesn't particularly appreciate that little science experiment.
Before freezing temperatures arrive:
Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
Shut off and drain exterior water lines and faucets where applicable.
Empty and clean rain barrels.
Store rain barrels, hoses and detachable accessories in a protected location.
The Region of Waterloo recommends winterizing rain barrels before the first freeze to help prevent cracking.
Don't forget to direct downspout water safely away from your foundation after disconnecting a rain barrel.
7. Check Gutters and Downspouts
Autumn leaves are beautiful.
Unless they're forming a rather enthusiastic traffic jam in your gutters. 🍁
Check for visible debris and make sure downspouts are directing water away from the foundation.
Keep nearby drainage areas and accessible catch basins clear of leaves.
If your home has a sump pump, check its condition and maintenance requirements as well.
Safety reminder: Avoid climbing onto roofs or using ladders in unsafe conditions. Hire a qualified professional for difficult or elevated work.
8. Inspect Doors and Windows for Drafts
Can you feel cold air creeping around your front door?
Check weatherstripping, door sweeps and accessible window seals for wear or damage.
These smaller maintenance issues can affect comfort and energy efficiency throughout the winter.
You don't necessarily need to replace an entire window to address a draft. Sometimes the solution is much simpler.
9. Refresh Your Emergency Supplies
Earlier darkness and approaching winter weather make this a good opportunity to review your household emergency kit.
The Government of Canada recommends being prepared to manage for at least 72 hours during an emergency.
Check flashlights, batteries, phone power banks, non-perishable food, drinking water and essential medications.
Include supplies for children, older family members and pets, where applicable.
And make sure everyone in the household knows where the kit is stored.
10. Check Outdoor Lighting and Walkway Safety
We're about to experience noticeably earlier sunsets.
Walk around your property in the evening and check:
Front and back entrance lighting.
Garage and driveway lights.
Walkway and stairway illumination.
Loose handrails, uneven surfaces and potential tripping hazards.
Consider motion-activated lighting where appropriate.
And while you're outside, make sure your snow shovel and winter footwear are easy to access.
Because discovering your shovel at the very back of the garage after the first snowfall is a special kind of Canadian treasure hunt.
Your Fall-Back Weekend Homeowner Checklist
Save this list, print it, or share it with another homeowner.
Test smoke alarms and check expiry dates.
Check carbon monoxide alarms and current Ontario requirements.
Reset clocks, timers and thermostats.
Check the furnace filter and heating system.
Inspect the dryer vent.
Disconnect hoses and winterize rain barrels.
Check gutters, downspouts and drainage.
Inspect weatherstripping around doors and windows.
Refresh emergency supplies.
Check outdoor lighting and walkway safety.
A Little Maintenance Today Can Make a Big Difference Tomorrow
Owning a home comes with responsibilities, but not every maintenance task needs to become a major weekend project.
Sometimes the most valuable improvements are the small things we remember to check before they become larger problems.
And whether you're happily settled into your forever home, considering a move, or preparing to purchase your very first property, understanding how to care for a home is an important part of homeownership.
My advice? Start with the safety items, work your way through the rest, and reward yourself with that extra hour of sleep.
You've earned it! 💚
Let's Talk About Your Home
Whether you're buying, selling or simply wondering how to protect the value of your property, I'm always happy to help.
I'm Charlotte Ferguson, REALTOR® with Royal LePage Wolle Realty and Founder of Magnolia Group Realty.
Proudly helping people find home throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Elmira and surrounding communities.
Home. Belonging. Together.
Visit www.yourmagnoliagroup.com to connect.
This article provides general homeowner information and is not a substitute for qualified inspection, installation or safety advice. Follow applicable Ontario requirements, equipment instructions and guidance from your local fire department.