10/08/2026
Ready for Winter? Start with Our Maintenance Checklist! ❄️
We love a Vermont winter, but we also know how hard the cold and snow can be on a home. The good news is that a few simple steps now can save you stress (and money) later.
Work through this checklist to keep your home cozy, safe, and running efficiently until spring.
🏠 Inspect your roof for missing shingles or leaks. Small gaps let water in, where it freezes and causes bigger damage.
🍂 Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters trap meltwater that refreezes into ice dams and pushes water back under your roof.
🔧 Check the metal flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents. These seams are a top spot for leaks once snow piles up.
🧂 Stock up on ice melt and sand. Storms hit fast and shelves empty quickly. Be ready to keep walkways safe.
💡 Test your outdoor lighting. Early sunsets mean darker entrances, and good lighting helps you spot ice and stay secure.
🔥 Schedule a furnace or boiler tune-up. A professional check catches small issues before they become mid-winter breakdowns and keeps your system running efficiently.
🌡️ Replace filters and test thermostats. Clean filters improve airflow and air quality, and a working thermostat keeps your home comfortable without wasting energy.
🚪 Seal drafts around doors and windows. Weatherstripping and caulk keep warm air in and cold air out, which can lower your heating bills.
🌀 Reverse your ceiling fans. Set them to spin clockwise on low to push warm air down from the ceiling and into the room.
🧱 Keep vents clear. Furniture, rugs, and curtains blocking vents restrict airflow and make your system work harder.
🧣 Insulate exposed pipes. Pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls are the first to freeze. Foam sleeves are an inexpensive way to protect them.
🪣 Disconnect hoses and drain outdoor spigots. Water left in a hose can freeze and back up into your plumbing. Draining the line keeps it from cracking.
📍 Know your main water shut-off valve location. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water fast can save you thousands in damage. Make sure everyone in t
