Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather

Prepare your home for cold weather by using this checklist to get ahead of cold weather challenges and  changes.

• Plant bulbs for springtime flowers.
• Cover and/or store outdoor furniture.
• Winterize summer lawn equipment and prepare it for seasonal storage.
• Remove window screens and (if applicable) put up storm windows and doors.
• Replace damaged weather stripping and door sweeps.
• Repair damaged caulking on windows.
• Reverse ceiling fans (clockwise during winter and counterclockwise during summer).
• Clean debris from outdoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.
• Cover outdoor HVAC unit grates to prevent debris from accumulating. (Cover the top grate with plywood and secure it with bricks, or cover it with a tarp, if recommended by the manufacturer.)
• Inspect whole-house humidifier systems. (Check the drain lines, valves, fans and water panels.)
• Clean gutters and downspouts.
• Check and trim dead or damaged tree limbs.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned.
• Stock up on firewood.
• Clean gas fireplaces or have them professionally serviced. (Check the gas ignition, vacuum the interior, inspect ceramic logs for damage and perform other maintenance recommended by the manufacturer.)
• Check home heating oil or propane levels. (Order ahead to lock in fuel rates and deliveries for the season.)
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Check fire extinguisher expiration dates and replace extinguishers, if necessary.
• Change the batteries in flashlights and weather radios (or invest in non-battery options, such as hand-crank versions).
• Assemble a survival kit for power outages and inclement weather. (Make sure you have kits for home and travel.)
• Clean your clothes dryer exhaust duct and vacuum lint buildup around the outside of the dryer.
• Visually inspect electrical outlets for damaged or loose-fitting covers (they can be a fire hazard).
• Inspect and service cold-weather tools such as shovels, leaf blowers, rakes and snowblowers.
• Inspect walkways, railings and driveways for any safety concerns.
• Stock up on rock salt, sand or non-clumping litter to prevent slipping on icy walkways.
• Disconnect garden hoses and store them.
• Manually shut off the water supply to exterior faucets and drain the water lines to prevent freezing.
• Winterize your lawn sprinkler system using the manual, automatic or blowout draining method. (Consult your manufacturer or installation expert for assistance with your system.)
• Cover exterior water faucets and insulate exposed pipes using foam pipe insulation.
• Have the septic system inspected and make sure all outdoor pipes are insulated or below the frost line.
• Prepare and cover swimming pools. (Remove accessories, deep clean the pool, bleed water lines or disconnect service hoses, and adjust water chemistry.)
• Winterize hot tubs if not used during the winter. (Use a tight-fitting cover for safety, bleed the water lines, jets and other components, and unplug the unit.)
• Keep hot tubs running at optimal levels if used through the winter. (Use a tight-fitting cover for safety and water heat retention, circulate the water often, use a ceramic heater to keep parts from freezing and insulate the hot tub shell.)
• Inspect your backup generator. (Check the oil, filters, spark plugs, and battery and fuel levels.)
• Maintain solar panels according to manufacturer recommendations. (Adjust the tilt for the winter sun position, inspect the power cells, ensure proper battery storage temperatures and other manufacturer suggestions.)