Winterizing your home can save you stress and money, whether you want to be prepared as you hunker down for winter or you’re a snowbird heading south for the colder months. The last thing you want is a burst pipe when you’re hundreds of miles away or to be stuck inside without supplies during a winter storm. Coming up with a winter preparedness checklist for your home and completing it before the cold weather sneaks up on you can make a huge difference – but what should you include? Fortunately, we have you covered with these tips on what to consider when winterizing your home.

1. Start Outdoors

The outside of your home will take the brunt of any winter storms and all the snow, ice, and freezing rain that may come with them. It’s essential to check for damage that can be made worse by inclement weather, seal any weak spots, and clean up your yard to prevent unwanted damage. Do this before winter weather starts so you don’t have to face the elements yourself once things get chilly. Follow the steps below to start prepping the outside of your home:

• Clean Your Gutters: Clean your gutters and downspouts before winter to allow melting snow to drain properly. Mid to late fall, once all the leaves have fallen, is the best time to do this. Check your gutters again at the beginning of winter to make sure there are no blockages. Make winter prep even easier by investing in gutter guards to prevent them from getting clogged.
• Prepare Your Roof: Before the first snowfall, inspect your roof for any damage, cracks, and broken or missing shingles. Look for water stains on ceilings and in the attic to rule out any leaks. Install roof heat cables to prevent excess snow buildup and invest in a roof rake to aid in snow removal.
• Finish Up Yard Work: Finish yard cleanup and prepare outdoor plants and gardens to winter over. before the first frost Bring potted plants inside – remember to repot plants that are outgrowing their space outside to avoid making a mess inside. Trim back any overhanging branches and ensure all trees near your house are healthy to prevent damage during potential snow storms.
• Maintain Outdoor Equipment: Bring winter equipment like snow blowers, shovels, and ice scrapers out of storage and ensure they are still functioning. Store them in an easy-to-access location like a shed, basement, or garage. Stock up on sand or ice melt.
• Protect Outdoor Items: Store outdoor decorations and fragile lighting away during the winter months to prevent damage or fading. Remove your garden hose and store it away for the winter to avoid damage – store smaller outdoor items in a storage chest or shed. Bring patio furniture and grills indoors if you have space in your garage or basement, or invest in covers to protect them from snow if they will be staying outside.

Tip!

If you’re heading south for the winter, make it look like your home is occupied to avoid burglars. Invest in home technology like security lighting, security cameras, and alarm systems that you can set on a timer or control remotely. Don’t forget to have your mail diverted to your temporary address.

2. Upgrade Your Insulation

Keep warm air inside and cold weather out during the winter months by upping your home's insulation. Winterizing windows and doors can help you save big on energy costs, and protecting your pipes can prevent a wintertime disaster. Here are some checklist items to ensure your home is optimally insulated this winter.

• Insulate Around Windows & Doors: Winterizing windows and exterior doors can help you retain heat and save money. Apply weather stripping to doors and windows, and caulk any holes or openings around them to prevent warm air from escaping. Consider installing door sweeps on the bottom of exterior doors to prevent a draft. Door draft stoppers are a stylish and non-permanent solution to stopping drafts.
• Switch Out Summer Curtains: Switch out light summer window treatments for thicker, more insulated curtains and drapes – keep them drawn when you can to keep warm air from escaping. Choose curtains made of wool, cotton, velvet, or suede for better insulation.
• Protect Your Pipes: Insulate your pipes with pipe wrap and insulation fittings made for pipes. If you plan on leaving your house for an extended period during the winter months, either turn off your water and drain your pipes or keep your thermostat on to prevent burst pipes.

3. Enhance Your Heating

An efficient heating system is essential for keeping your home comfortable during the winter. Before temperatures begin to drop, check things out and make sure everything is running smoothly. Get ahead by scheduling fall maintenance for your fireplace or furnace, and make sure you have everything you need to keep things running all winter long. Add these items to your to-do list to get the most out of your heating system.

• Prepare Your Fireplace: Make sure chimneys, wood stoves, and fireplaces are cleaned in the fall or early in the winter season. This is a great time to schedule an annual inspection to avoid hazardous conditions caused by animal nests or creosote buildup. Hire a chimney sweep for a thorough cleaning before your first winter fire, and keep up with cleaning using a vacuum or sweep to remove ash as it accumulates.
• Invest in a Programmable Thermostat: Invest in a programmable thermostat to make heating your home easy and more efficient. We recommend keeping your thermostat at 68℉ to keep you comfortable during the day – turn it down a few degrees while you’re sleeping or away to save energy. A programmable thermostat allows you to schedule temperature regulation ahead of time so you don’t have to think about it.
• Supplement With Space Heaters: Use space heaters to heat small spaces or rooms where your central heating doesn’t reach. If you don’t have a real fireplace, an electric fireplace that gives off heat is a great option for a cozy winter space.
• Ensure Furnace Efficiency: Hire a professional for a yearly inspection and tuning of your heating system. Replace your vent air filters early in the season to make sure airflow is clean and unobstructed. We recommend changing them every three months – this will help with your furnace run efficiently.

4. Prepare for Winter Weather

If you live in an area that experiences snow storms and plan to stay through the winter, make sure you’re prepared. Organize winter storm essentials well before the first snowfall to give you peace of mind. Add these snowstorm readiness tasks to your winter preparedness checklist so you’re ready for whatever winter brings.

• Organize a Snow Storm Kit: Be prepared in case you lose power during a snowstorm. Have flashlights, batteries, and candles on hand if the lights go out. Make sure you have extra blankets or sleeping bags to stay warm if you don’t have a fire to warm up with. Invest in a portable cell phone charger and keep it charged for snow emergencies. Consider having an emergency generator on hand to power your house – make sure to read up on using generators safely.
• Keep Extra Essentials: Stock your pantry with non-perishable food, snacks, and extra jugs of water so you don’t have to venture out during a winter storm. Invest in a pantry organization system or buy a large storage bin to keep these essentials separate and easily accessible. If you have pets, make sure you have extra food (at least a week's worth) available for them. Store pet food in a sealed pet food container so it stays fresh. Make sure to have a week's worth of medication on hand for any family members or pets – a severe snowstorm may make it difficult to get more on short notice.
• Bring Cold Weather Staples Out of Storage: Store heavy sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, and winter boots in storage tubs or cases so you can stow them away during warmer months but locate them easily when you need them. Locate your cold weather clothes in late fall to make sure you have everything you need and that it still fits well.
• Check Smoke & Carbon Dioxide Detectors: Winter is a common time for house fires and carbon monoxide poisonings. Ensure you and your family are prepared and protected by making sure all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. Run tests on all detectors, make sure they have backup batteries in case of power outages, and buy new ones if the ones you have are outdated. Keep your walkways and driveway clear of snow in case first responders ever need to access your home.

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