Home Maintenance Checklist for Fall/Winter

This checklist is intended for homes in Lakeport Cluster, which are more than 30 years old and unique in several ways.

Important note: If you are addressing issues with the exterior of your home, please consult the Lakeport Design Standards, and remember that you may have to seek approval from Reston Association’s Design Review Board.



Outdoor Checklist

Although the cluster’s landscaping contractor takes care of common areas, owners are responsible for raking leaves and removing debris (e.g., fallen and pruned branches, dead outdoor potted annuals) on their own driveways, yards, patios, and other areas. Residents should not dump what they collect into the wooded common areas or on the street. Instead, they should dispose of leaves and other debris from their property in large compostable paper yard-waste bags available at Safeway, Costco, and home improvement stores. Pickup for yard waste is Thursdays.

In past winters several Lakeport residents have had to deal with burst water pipes as a result of freezing temperatures. If you have outside faucets or other pipes that are vulnerable, you should take steps to avoid broken pipes and potentially costly damage and repairs (see next bullet). It is also a good idea to arrange with a neighbor to have access to each other’s homes in case one or the other of you is out of town when this (or some other emergency) arises.

Turn off the inside valves of the water lines to outdoor faucets. Typically (but not always), the valves are located in the same room as the main water shutoff or the hot water heater. After turning off the water, open the outdoor spigot to drain the line so that there is no water in the line to freeze over the winter.

Snow and ice removal – Please be aware that the sidewalk near your home is your responsibility to shovel. You should also clear your driveway and consider de-icing it and the sidewalk using pet- and environment-friendly products available at home improvement stores. Shovel decks to avoid water leakage into the house.

Ice that accumulates in gutters and downspouts can be harmful to the heat retention of the house and can allow water to enter. Where possible and when it can be accomplished safely, remove icicles from gutters and downspouts.

Remove snow before applying deicers to avoid having the deicer run off before melting the ice below. Use a deicer that is appropriate for the temperature range you are experiencing and consider one that won’t be detrimental to the environment (e.g., possibly bird seed for light snows). After the storm, sweep up and store remaining deicer for the next storm (do not deposit it in Lakeport’s wooded common areas because that may damage plants and trees).


Indoor Checklist


Homeowners should check and if necessary replace gasket/pressure regulators at the main cutoff from the street and in bathtubs and showers (including the overflow) to avoid flooding from a leak, as some owners have experienced.

Be sure to replace or clean your HVAC filter regularly.