Winterize Your Home: A 15-Point Checklist Before the First Freeze | HomeJolly
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Winterize Your Home: A 15-Point Checklist Before the First Freeze

A weekend of prep now prevents frozen pipes, ice dams, and no-heat emergencies later. Work through this list before temperatures drop.

6 min read
Illustration of a snow-covered house with warm lit windows at night
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Frozen and burst pipes are among the most expensive winter repairs. Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, even when you're away.
Book your furnace tune-up early in the fall, before HVAC companies get busy.
Clean gutters and check attic insulation to help prevent ice dams.

Heating system

  • 1. Schedule a professional furnace or heat pump tune-up.
  • 2. Replace the HVAC filter and buy a few spares.
  • 3. Vacuum supply and return vents, and keep furniture off them.
  • 4. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney inspected and swept.

Plumbing

During a deep freeze, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let faucets drip slightly.

  • 5. Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain outdoor spigots.
  • 6. Insulate exposed pipes in the garage, crawl space, and basement.
  • 7. Find your main water shut-off valve and make sure it turns.
  • 8. Drain and blow out your sprinkler system.

Roof, gutters, and attic

  • 9. Clean gutters and downspouts, and make sure water drains away from the foundation.
  • 10. Look for missing or damaged shingles and flashing.
  • 11. Check attic insulation and ventilation. Warm attics melt snow, and the water refreezes at the eaves as ice dams.

Doors, windows, and drafts

  • 12. Replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps.
  • 13. Caulk gaps around window and door trim.
  • 14. Install storm windows, or use window insulation film on drafty single-pane windows.

Safety

If you rely on a generator, run it monthly and only ever operate it outdoors, well away from windows and doors. Keep snow shovels, ice melt, and an emergency kit somewhere easy to reach.

  • 15. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries. Heating season is peak season for CO risks.
Book your furnace tune-up before the rush
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