Getting Your Older Lancaster Home Ready for Fall (2025 Checklist)

Older homes are Lancaster County’s charm—brick facades, deep porches, plaster walls, and big shade trees. They also need a little extra love before the cold sets in. Use this Lancaster-specific fall checklist to keep your home cozy, safe, and efficient all season long.

Quick Timeline (Late August → Early November)

• Now (late Aug–early Sept): exterior checks (roof, gutters, grading), order furnace/boiler + chimney service, schedule lead/radon testing if you’ve never done it, book contractors. ENERGY STAR

• Mid–late Sept: air-seal windows/doors, touch-up masonry or caulk, swap storm windows/screens, test sump pump, service humidifier, overseed cool-season lawns. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov+1Penn State Extension

• October: drain/cover exterior spigots, blow out irrigation, install hose bib covers, set leaf-cleanup plan, replace furnace filter, test CO/smoke alarms.

• Before first hard freeze: protect pipes in unheated areas (attic, crawlspace, garage), set smart thermostat schedules, confirm snow/ice melt supplies.

Exterior & Weatherproofing (Older-Home Priorities)

• Roof & gutters: Clear debris; confirm downspouts discharge 6–10 feet from the foundation. Lancaster basements are happier when water moves away fast.

• Masonry & siding: For brick/stone, look for crumbling mortar; repoint as needed. For wood, scrape/prime/paint exposed areas to prevent moisture intrusion (and peeling that can create lead dust on pre-1978 homes).

• Windows & doors: Add weatherstripping + caulk around trim; it’s one of the highest-ROI fixes for lowering drafts and bills. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov

• Attic & air leaks: Seal gaps around plumbing/electrical penetrations before insulating. Start with air sealing; then top up insulation to modern R-values. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov

Lancaster lead-safety note (pre-1978 homes): The City’s Lead Hazard Control/Healthy Homes programs can help qualified owners and landlords reduce risks; learn more and check eligibility. City of Lancaster, PA+1

Heat, Fireplaces & Chimneys

• Service your heating system: ENERGY STAR recommends pre-season check-ups—cooling in spring, heating in fall—so book now before providers get slammed. Replace your filter at the start of heating season. ENERGY STAR

• Chimney & flue: NFPA 211 calls for annual chimney inspections (and cleaning/repairs if needed). This is especially important for older, unlined masonry stacks and oil/gas appliances. NFPA

• CO/smoke safety: Test detectors, refresh batteries, and keep clearances around boilers/furnaces.

Plumbing & Moisture Control (Basements Love This Part)

• Exterior spigots: Disconnect hoses, install frost caps, and shut interior valves to prevent burst lines.

• Insulate vulnerable pipes: Add foam sleeves in unheated areas; during extreme cold snaps, a slow faucet drip can prevent freezing. (Local utilities echo this tip.) pgh2o.comwater.phila.gov

• Sump & drainage: Lift the sump float to confirm pump action, check check-valves, and trench splash blocks if necessary.

• Mold & moisture prevention: Keep indoor humidity in check and fix leaks fast—EPA’s guide is a great reference for what to tackle and how. US EPA

Radon & Indoor Air (High-Priority in PA)

Pennsylvania has some of the highest radon readings in the U.S.; about 40% of Pennsylvania homes test above the EPA action level (4.0 pCi/L). If you’ve never tested—or it’s been years—add a fall test to your list (basements often measure higher in cooler months). Check county info and PA DEP resources here: co.lancaster.pa.usPA Gov

Yard, Trees & Leaves (City & Township Reminders)

• Leaf plan: Bag or rake regularly to protect turf and drains. City of Lancaster provides free yard-waste/leaf bags and posts collection schedules and routes each year. City of Lancaster, PA

• Cool-season lawns: Early fall is prime time in Pennsylvania to aerate and overseed (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass blends are common), then fertilize lightly per soil test. Penn State Extension+1

• Branches & rooflines: Trim limbs away from roof and service lines to reduce storm damage risk.

Rebates & Quick Wins (Lancaster Utilities)

• PPL Electric often offers efficiency rebates (insulation/air-sealing, heat pumps, etc.)—check current Residential Energy Efficiency offerings and the 2025 rebate flyer. pplelectricsavings.compplelectricsavings.com

• UGI (gas customers) offers rebates for high-efficiency furnaces/boilers, tankless water heaters, and smart thermostats (programs typically run through Sep. 30, 2025—submit within 90 days of install). ugi.com+1

Programs update frequently; verify details/eligibility at the links above before you buy.

Older-Home “Gotchas” I See in Lancaster

• Knob-and-tube in attics: Don’t bury with insulation; have an electrician evaluate and upgrade first.

• Unlined chimneys: Add a liner when connecting new gas/oil appliances; reduces condensation and masonry damage (and supports safe venting). NFPA

• Original wood windows: Combine repairs with storm windows and quality weatherstripping for big comfort gains without losing character. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov

• Lead-safe maintenance: Wet-wipe sills, HEPA-vacuum dust, fix friction points on old double-hung windows; explore City/health system programs for assistance. City of Lancaster, PAPenn Medicine

Selling This Fall? Do These 5

1. Clean gutters & touch paint, 2) weatherstrip doors, 3) service HVAC & provide receipt, 4) add warm lighting/timers for early sunsets, 5) fresh mulch + mums for curb appeal.
   Then pair this with targeted seasonal staging to maximize offers: How to Stage Your Home for Fall Buyers in Lancaster.

If you’re considering bigger updates first, run the numbers: Signs You Should Renovate vs Sell Your Lancaster Home.

Helpful Lancaster Reads

• Home Inspection basics (for older houses, too): Home Inspection Checklist for Lancaster PA Buyers

• Financing bigger fall projects: How to Finance a Home Addition in Lancaster, PA – Personal Loan vs. HELOC

Mini Fall Checklist

• Roof, flashing, chimney crown inspected

• Gutters/downspouts cleaned; extensions added

• Grade slopes away from foundation

• Weatherstrip & caulk windows/doors; swap on storms

• Attic air-sealing + insulation top-up

• Furnace/boiler serviced (filter replaced)

• Chimney inspected/cleaned (NFPA 211)

• CO/smoke detectors tested; batteries replaced

• Sump pump tested; dehumidifier set to ~50%

• Exterior spigots shut off; pipe insulation installed

• Radon test ordered; lead-safe maintenance plan updated

• Lawn aerated/overseeded; leaf collection scheduled

Ready for a quick walkthrough of your house?

I’ll tailor this checklist to your home age, systems, and neighborhood—and show you which fixes pay back in the Lancaster PA real estate market.
Grab a free 15-minute consult on my calendar.