Cold weather brings unique challenges that can damage your home if you’re not ready. Frozen pipes, ice dams, and heating system failures can cost thousands in repairs and leave your family uncomfortable during the coldest months. Taking action now helps you avoid these winter problems before they start.
Getting your property ready for winter doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Simple tasks like sealing air leaks, checking your heating system, and protecting your pipes can make a big difference in keeping your home safe and warm all season.
Start with this winter home maintenance checklist to protect your investment and stay comfortable. These steps will help you prepare your home the right way and catch potential problems early.
Home Maintenance Checklist for Winter
- Prepare your home’s exterior – Prevent ice dams, snow damage, and foundation issues from melting snow and ice.
- Seal and insulate your interior – Lower heating bills and block cold drafts that make rooms uncomfortable.
- Service your heating system – Keep your family warm and safe while avoiding mid-winter breakdowns.
- Protect your plumbing – Prevent frozen pipes and burst pipe disasters that cause water damage.
- Inspect your chimney and fireplace – Ensure safe heating and avoid fire hazards from creosote buildup.
- Winterize your pool – Protect your pool equipment from freeze damage during cold months.
- Prepare for safety emergencies – Get your family ready for power outages and winter storms.
- Check appliances and systems – Catch small problems before they become expensive repairs.
Exterior Preparation
Protect your home’s outer structure from winter elements. Start by clearing gutters and fixing your roof since these areas take the biggest hit from snow and ice. Tree branches loaded with heavy snow can snap and damage your property, so trim them back before the first storm hits.
✔ Clean and repair gutters to prevent ice dams
Remove all leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Check for loose sections and fix them right away. Make sure downspouts direct water at least 5 feet away from your foundation to prevent basement flooding.
✔ Inspect and fix roof shingles and flashing
Look for cracked, curled, or missing shingles from the ground or a ladder. Check the flashing around chimneys and vents for gaps or damage. Hire a professional for a thorough inspection if you spot any problems or can’t safely reach your roof.
✔ Trim overhanging tree branches
Cut back any dead or weak branches that hang over your home, garage, or driveway. Heavy snow and ice can make branches snap and fall. Remove or wrap vulnerable outdoor fixtures like decorative lights and hanging plants.
✔ Drain and store garden hoses
Disconnect all hoses from outdoor faucets and drain the water completely. Store hoses in a garage or shed to prevent cracking. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps to protect them from freezing temperatures.
✔ Service snow removal tools
Test your snow blower now and get it serviced if needed. Sharpen shovel edges and repair any broken handles. Stock up on salt or ice melt for walkways and driveways before stores run out.
Interior Sealing and Insulation
Block drafts and retain heat for efficiency. Air leaks around windows and doors can increase your heating bills by hundreds of dollars each winter. Proper insulation in your attic and walls keeps warm air inside where it belongs.
✔ Seal gaps around windows and doors
Check for drafts by holding a lit candle near the edges on a windy day. Apply weatherstripping or foam tape to seal gaps. Install door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to block cold air.
✔ Check and upgrade attic insulation
Measure your current attic insulation and aim for R-38 or higher in cold climates. Add more insulation if yours is compressed or less than 10 inches deep. Insulate around pipes and electrical cables that run through the attic.
✔ Inspect ductwork for leaks
Look for gaps or disconnected sections in your ductwork, especially in basements and crawl spaces. Seal leaks with foil tape, not duct tape, which doesn’t hold up well. Proper sealing improves heating efficiency and comfort.
✔ Caulk cracks in walls and foundation
Fill cracks around exterior faucets, air vents, and anywhere something enters your wall. Use exterior-grade caulk rated for cold temperatures. Check your garage door seal and replace it if you see daylight underneath.
Heating System
Ensure safe, efficient warmth. Your furnace works overtime during winter, so it needs to be in top shape before cold weather arrives. Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns and keeps your energy bills under control.
✔ Schedule a professional furnace tune-up
Have an HVAC technician inspect your system before winter starts. They’ll check for carbon monoxide leaks, test the ignition, and clean internal components. Change or replace air filters every 30 to 45 days during heavy use.
✔ Test thermostat and clean vents
Make sure your thermostat responds correctly and reaches the set temperature. Remove furniture or curtains blocking vents and registers. Vacuum dust from vent covers to improve airflow throughout your home.
✔ Inspect for proper venting
Check that exhaust vents outside your home are clear of snow, ice, and debris. Blocked vents can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to build up inside. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on every floor.
Plumbing
Prevent freezing and bursts. Burst pipes account for the majority of homeowners’ insurance claims during winter. Water damage from a single burst pipe can cost $500 to repair, plus up to $3,000 in additional damage to your home.
✔ Insulate exposed pipes
Wrap insulation around pipes in crawl spaces, garages, attics, and under sinks. Pay special attention to pipes along exterior walls and in unheated basements, where 37% of all burst pipes happen. Insulation costs as little as 50 cents per foot but saves thousands in potential damage.
✔ Disconnect outdoor faucets and know your shutoff valve
Turn off water valves that supply outdoor spigots if you have them. Drain remaining water from the lines. Know exactly where your main water shutoff valve is located so you can act fast in an emergency.
✔ Flush the water heater and check for leaks
Drain a few gallons from your water heater tank to remove sediment buildup that reduces efficiency. Check the pressure relief valve to make sure it works properly. Look for any signs of corrosion, drips, or leaks around connections.
Chimney and Fireplace
Avoid fire hazards. Heating equipment like fireplaces and chimneys accounts for 15% of all home fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Regular cleaning and inspection are necessary safety measures before you light your first fire of the season.
✔ Hire a certified sweep for creosote removal
Have a professional chimney sweep clean out creosote buildup, which is highly flammable and can cause house fires. They’ll also inspect the damper and chimney lining for cracks or damage. Schedule this in early fall when contractors are less busy.
✔ Check the firebox for cracks
Look inside your fireplace for cracks in the firebox or loose bricks that need repair. Test that the damper opens, closes, and seals properly. Install a chimney cap if you don’t have one to keep out rain, debris, and animals.
✔ Stock proper firewood
Buy or cut seasoned hardwood that’s been dried for at least six months. Wet or green wood creates more creosote buildup. Store firewood outside and away from your home to avoid bringing pests indoors.
Pool Preparation
Winterize for protection. Proper pool winterization protects your equipment and liner from freeze damage. Taking these steps now saves you from costly repairs and makes spring opening much easier.
Balance chemicals before closing
Test and adjust pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness to proper levels. Add winterizing chemicals according to package directions. This prevents algae growth and keeps water clean until spring.
✔ Lower water level below the skimmer
Reduce the water level to below the skimmer opening but not more than 18 inches from the top. This prevents freeze damage to the skimmer and jets. Never drain your pool completely as this can damage the liner.
✔ Clean and cover securely
Remove all debris from the pool bottom and skim the surface. Cover with a winter pool cover and secure it tightly. Run your pump for a few hours after adding winterizing chemicals to distribute them evenly.
✔ Drain and add antifreeze if needed
Blow out water lines using an air compressor or shop vac. Add pool antifreeze to lines in areas with hard freezes. Remove and store pool equipment like ladders, cleaners, and floating accessories in a dry place.
Safety and Emergency Readiness
Prepare for outages and hazards. Winter storms can knock out power for hours or even days. Having supplies ready keeps your family safe and comfortable when the unexpected happens.
✔ Build an emergency kit with essentials
Stock flashlights, extra batteries, non-perishable food, and bottled water for at least three days. Include warm blankets, first aid supplies, and any necessary medications. Keep a manual can opener and battery-powered or hand-crank radio on hand.
✔ Test smoke and CO detectors
Press the test button on every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Replace batteries in all units, even if they seem to work fine. Install detectors in every bedroom, on each floor, and in the kitchen if you haven’t already.
✔ Stock a winter car kit
Keep an ice scraper, small shovel, jumper cables, and tire chains in your vehicle. Add snacks, water, blankets, and a fully charged power bank for emergencies. Sand or cat litter can help with traction if you get stuck.
✔ Create a home inventory for insurance
Take photos or videos of your belongings, room by room. Keep receipts for valuable items in a safe place. Review your homeowners’ insurance policy to make sure coverage limits are adequate and update if needed.
Appliance and General Systems
Ensure reliable operation. Small maintenance tasks on appliances and systems prevent breakdowns during the holiday season. Taking care of these items now saves you from dealing with repairs when you’re busy entertaining guests.
✔ Clean oven and range before holidays
Mix baking soda with white vinegar to form a paste. Apply it to your oven interior with a brush and let it sit overnight. Wipe clean with a damp sponge to remove baked-on food and grease before holiday cooking begins.
✔ Chthe eck garage door opener
Test the auto-reverse safety feature by placing a roll of paper towels under the closing door. The door should reverse immediately when it touches the roll. Lubricate the chain or screw drive and all moving parts with garage door lubricant.
✔ Review fire extinguishers
Check that your fire extinguisher is fully charged and accessible. The pressure gauge needle should be in the green zone. Replace or recharge any extinguisher that’s expired or shows low pressure.
✔ Check the basement for dampness
Look for signs of moisture, mold, or mildew in your basement or crawl space. Test your sump pump by pouring several gallons of water into the pit to make sure it kicks on. A working sump pump prevents flooding from melting snow.
Winter Home Tips
Set your thermostat to 65°F or higher when leaving home for extended periods to prevent pipes from freezing. Open cabinet doors under sinks during extreme cold to let warm air reach the pipes. Let faucets drip slightly when temperatures drop below 15°F for more than 24 hours.
- Reverse ceiling fans to run clockwise and push warm air down from the ceiling.
- Remove window screens to boost natural light and improve solar heat gain.
- Use floor mats inside and outside all entrances to protect the flooring from salt and moisture.
Home Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners
Winter is a great learning opportunity for first-time homeowners. Take notes about which rooms get coldest or where snow tends to pile up so you can address those issues next year. Keep track of when you complete each maintenance task to build a schedule for future seasons.
- Start a home maintenance binder with manuals, warranty information, and service records.
- Learn the location of your home’s main water shutoff, electrical panel, and gas shutoff valve.
- Build relationships with reliable contractors for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work before emergencies happen.
List Your Rental Property This Winter with AvantStay
Winter maintenance for a vacation rental takes extra time and attention. From coordinating professional inspections to managing emergency repairs from a distance, the work adds up quickly during your busiest season.
AvantStay can assist in taking care of all winter preparation and ongoing maintenance for your rental property. Our property management team schedules seasonal inspections, manages emergency repairs needed, and keeps your home guest-ready through snow and ice. You earn rental income while we handle the winter weather challenges.
Ready to list your property with us? Visit AvantStay.com to learn how our full-service property management protects your investment and maximizes your rental income year-round.
For property management inquiries, send us an email at newhomes@avantstay.com or call us at (855) 683-1768.
