09/28/2026
Here is a comprehensive checklist to winterize your home and protect your property from freezing temperatures, water damage, and heat loss.
🚰 Plumbing & Outdoor Pipes
Drain outdoor faucets:
Disconnect hoses, drain the remaining water from the lines, and shut off interior valves to outdoor spigots.
Insulate exposed pipes:
Wrap foam insulation sleeves or heat tape around water lines running through unheated crawlspaces, attics, or exterior walls.
Winterize the sprinkler system:
Blow out any remaining water using compressed air to prevent underground lines from freezing and cracking.
Keep basement walls checked:
Keep an eye on colder areas like basement cinder block walls for moisture or mold, and ensure interior ambient heat reaches these spaces.
🏡 Exterior & Roof Maintenance
Clear the gutters:
Remove leaves, twigs, and debris so melting snow and ice can drain freely, preventing ice dams.
Inspect the roof:
Check for loose, damaged, or missing shingles that could cause leaks during heavy winter snow or rain.
Direct downspouts away:
Ensure downspout extensions funnel water at least 3 to 5 feet away from your foundation.
Store outdoor furniture:
Clean and cover patio furniture, grill setups, and store any delicate outdoor decor inside a garage or shed.
🔥 Heating & HVAC Systems
Replace the furnace filter:
Put in a clean air filter to maximize airflow, improve heating efficiency, and reduce energy costs.
Schedule an HVAC tune-up:
Have a professional inspect and service your furnace or heat pump to ensure it runs safely all winter.
Reverse ceiling fans:
Switch fan directions to rotate clockwise at low speeds to gently push rising warm air back down into living spaces.
Inspect the chimney:
Clean and inspect fireplaces and wood stoves to remove creosote buildup and check that the damper seals tightly.
🌬️ Insulation & Draft
Stopping Seal windows and doors:
Apply fresh caulk or weatherstripping to eliminate drafts around window frames and door thresholds.
Check the attic insulation:
Ensure you have adequate insulation depth above your ceilings to keep heat from escaping into the roof space.
Cover window AC units:
Remove window air conditioners or insulate them securely with an exterior cover to block cold air drafts.
