Home Maintenance Checklist to Winterize Your Home

If you live in an area that experiences extreme winter temperatures, you likely know that home maintenance is ultra-important during the colder months. But if you're a first-time homeowner or just new to winter climates, there are some things you should know when the season starts. In this blog, we'll provide a checklist for how to winterize your home, plus some general tips about weathering the cold season as a homeowner.

Winter Preparation Checklist

First, review our winter preparedness checklist to learn how to prep your home for cold weather.

Exterior Doors and Windows

• Check the exterior of your home for any cracks, crevices, or exposed entry points around pipes. If you find any places where cold air could enter your home, seal them using caulk, insulation, or weather stripping.
• Check existing weather stripping for damage or decay. Replace if needed.
• Look for signs of rot or decay on wooden windows and door frames. Make repairs if necessary.

Roof, Gutters, and Downspouts

• If your home has an attic, ensure it's well-insulated to prevent warm air from creeping up — which can melt snow and create ice buildup.
• Inspect your roof for damaged flashing (the metal parts of your roof that help direct water away). If you find damage, seal joints with roofing cement or call a professional to make repairs.
• Clean your gutters, as debris left in them can cause ice and snow to build up and cause roof damage.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

• Schedule a bi-annual tune-up performed on your HVAC system.
• Change your HVAC filters.
• Clean your whole-house humidifier if you have one.
• Bleed valves on hot-water radiators to remove air, which keeps them from operating efficiently.
• Consider installing more efficient thermostats to replace outdated ones.
• Change your ceiling fan direction to direct warm air into the room.
• Check your water heater's pressure valve to ensure it works properly.

Plumbing

• Drain and store away all garden hoses.
• Insulate any exposed plumbing pipes.
• Always leave the heat on at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent frozen pipes.
• When temps are below freezing, leave a few faucets dripping to keep water moving through pipes.

View our checklist on preventing frozen pipes for more information.

Fireplaces

• Screen the top of your chimney to keep out rodents and birds.
• Clean the fireplace to remove any old ashes.
• If it hasn't been cleaned in a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and debris.
• Buy or chop firewood and store it in a dry place, away from the exterior of your home.
• Make sure the fireplace damper is opening and closing properly. If you can feel cold air coming through when the damper is closed, you may need to have it repaired.
• Consider installing a chimney balloon to block out cold air, but remember to remove it if you use your fireplace.

Read more about how to get your fireplace ready for winter.

These maintenance tasks will give you a good starting point for winter in your home, but you can do more to prepare your house for the chilly season. Let's go beyond how to winter-proof houses and talk about how else you can prepare.

Additional Winter Tips for Homeowners

Now that you know how to weatherize your home for winter, let's learn what else you can do to prepare!

Make an Emergency Kit

When it's time to winterize your house, checklists come in handy. So, we've created another one with the items you should have in your emergency kit. Make sure all family members know where to find the kit, and include the following:

• Battery-powered candles or indoor candles with matches and lighters
• Backup batteries of multiple sizes
• Emergency or self-powered flashlight and radio
• Surge protectors for sensitive electronic equipment like computers and TVs
• Bottled water and non-perishable food
• Pet food and supplies, if needed
• Blankets and warming supplies

Protect Your Plants

Part of preparing your house for a freeze is preparing your landscaping! If you have outdoor plants, stay informed on the forecast to know when to expect the cold to begin.

• Water your plants a few days before a freeze if you know when to expect it. This helps prevent the plants and soil from becoming dehydrated.
• Insulate vulnerable plants with covers like protection bags, burlap, or other winterizing materials.
• Move any potted plants indoors if you want to save them for another year (just be mindful of safety if you have pets — many plants can be toxic to them).
• Brush off heavy snow when it falls to keep it from weighing down and damaging branches.

More Winter Preparedness Facts

At this point, you've learned how to prepare your home for winter. But we've got more in store — check out some winter tips and tidbits that may provide some more details to help you stay warm:

Protect Your Home from Winter Weather and More

These winter preparation checklists should help you prepare your house for the first freeze, but what about when your home's appliances and systems break down unexpectedly? Nobody wants to deal with a broken furnace, water heater, or clothes dryer in the middle of winter. Learn about First American Home Warranty coverage plans and get a quote today to help protect your home's systems and appliances (and your budget) from unexpected expenses when one of them breaks down.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.