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A thick layer of wet leaves left over winter does more damage than most owners expect, and clearing them before you close up is one of the simpler jobs on the fall list.
Start with the lawn and any grassed areas. Leaves matted down under snow block sunlight and trap moisture, which can smother grass and encourage mould and fungus by spring. A final mow with the mulching setting, or one more pass with a rake, is usually enough for a seasonal property.
Gutters are the bigger concern. Leaves that pack into eavestroughs block drainage, and water with nowhere to go can back up under the roofline or freeze into ice dams. Clearing them out is one of the most worthwhile hours you’ll spend before closing up.
Keep leaves and other organic debris away from the foundation and any exterior wood, like deck posts or siding, since piled-up leaves hold moisture against these surfaces all winter. The same goes for window wells and any vents or exterior mechanical equipment, like a heat pump, which need clear airflow.
If raking and hauling isn’t practical for a seasonal property, mulching leaves directly into the lawn with a mower is a reasonable shortcut, though gutters and anything against the building still need to be cleared by hand.
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