Winterizing checklist, part 2: How to prepare your house for winter

Nobody wants to spend spring paying for winter's damage. A frozen pipe, an ice dam or a gate that's shifted out of line can turn into an expensive repair once the snow melts. Most of that damage is preventable, and the work is easier to do now than after the first hard freeze.

Use this guide to prepare your house for winter, inside and out. Most of these tasks are DIY projects you can finish in a weekend. Where a job is better left to a pro, we'll tell you. You'll find the full checklist at the end.

New to the series? Start with Part 1 of our winterizing checklist.

How to prevent pipes from freezing

Water expands when it freezes, and that pressure can split a pipe from the inside. The pipes most at risk are outdoor spigots and pipes along poorly insulated exterior walls. So are pipes in unheated spaces like basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages, according to the American Red Cross.

• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas. Foam pipe sleeves from any home improvement store slip right over the pipe. Wrap both hot and cold water lines.

• Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses. A hose left connected traps water that can freeze back into the spigot.

• Shut off and drain outdoor spigots. Close the indoor valve that feeds each spigot, then open the outdoor faucet so the line drains. Leave it open for the winter so any leftover water has room to expand.

• Find your main water shutoff valve. If a pipe does burst, shutting off the water quickly limits the damage. Make sure everyone in your house knows where it is.

• Let faucets drip during hard freezes. A slow trickle of cold water from faucets fed by exposed pipes keeps water moving.

• Open cabinet doors under sinks. This lets warm air from the room reach the pipes. Move cleaners and chemicals out of reach of kids and pets first.

• Keep the temperature consistent. Skip the big nighttime setback during cold snaps. If you'll be away, the Red Cross recommends keeping the heat at 55°F or higher.

• Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through your garage.

If a faucet only trickles on a cold morning, a pipe may be frozen. Call a licensed plumber if you can't find the frozen section or thaw it safely.

Winterize your windows and doors

Drafty windows and doors let warm air out and cold air in, so your heating system works harder all winter. Most of these fixes take an afternoon and a few inexpensive supplies.

• Seal air leaks around window frames. On a breezy day, hold your hand near the edges of each window to feel for drafts. Fill any gaps with caulk.

• Add insulating window film. Clear shrink film traps a layer of still air between the film and the glass. It's an affordable fix for drafty single-pane windows.

• Hang thermal curtains or cellular shades. Close them at night to hold in heat. Open south-facing ones during the day to let the sun warm the room.

• Check window locks and hardware. A locked window pulls tight against its weatherstripping. A loose or broken lock can leave a gap you won't see.

• Replace worn weatherstripping on exterior doors. If you can see daylight around a closed door, the seal has worn out.

• Add door sweeps. A sweep along the bottom of the door blocks the draft that slips underneath.
  
  

Make sure your attic is properly insulated

Warm air escaping into your attic heats the roof from underneath. Snow on the roof melts, runs down to the colder edge and refreezes into a ridge of ice called an ice dam. Water then backs up behind the dam, slips under your shingles and can leak into your ceilings and walls.

• Check your insulation depth. If the insulation sits level with or below the tops of the floor joists, you likely need more.

• Seal gaps where warm air sneaks in. Check around plumbing vent pipes and wiring holes. Add weatherstripping around the edges of the attic hatch.

• Keep soffit vents clear. Insulation pushed against the vents along the eaves blocks airflow and traps warm, moist air. Foam baffles keep those vents open.

Topping off insulation is a doable DIY project if your attic is easy to get around in. If it's tight or needs blown-in insulation, an insulation contractor is worth the call.

Clean gutters and inspect the roof

Clogged gutters can't drain melting snow. That water freezes in place, adds weight to the gutters and feeds the same ice dams your attic insulation helps prevent.

• Clean gutters and downspouts once most of the leaves are down. That way you only do it once. Work from a sturdy ladder, and have someone steady it for you.

• Point downspouts away from your foundation. Extensions or splash blocks carry meltwater away so it doesn't pool against the house.

• Look for loose, cracked or missing shingles. Use binoculars from the ground instead of climbing onto the roof.

• Check the flashing around your chimney and vents. Gaps or lifted edges are common leak points.

If you spot damage, call a roofer. A roof repair isn't worth the risk of a fall, especially once the weather turns cold and wet.

Service your heating system

Your furnace is about to do its hardest work of the year. A little maintenance now helps it run efficiently and safely.

• Schedule a furnace tune-up. An HVAC technician can clean and inspect your system before their calendar fills up for the season.

• Replace the furnace filter. A clogged filter makes your system work harder. Check it monthly during winter and swap it out when it looks dirty.

• Have your chimney inspected. If you use a fireplace or wood stove, get the chimney inspected once a year and cleaned as needed.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You'll be running fuel-burning appliances more often, so make sure every alarm works. Replace batteries while you're at it.

Prepare fences, gates, and railings

Your fence and railings take the brunt of winter too. Ground that freezes and thaws can shift posts, and snow piled against panels adds weight all season. A quick walk along your fence line now makes spring a lot easier.

• Clear leaves and debris along the fence line. Wet leaves trapped against the bottom rail hold moisture and can leave stains by spring.

• Rinse vinyl fencing with mild soap and water. Dirt and mildew come off more easily now than after months under snow.

• Check gate hinges and latches. Open and close each gate to make sure it swings freely and latches securely. If you have a pool fence, confirm self-closing gates still close and latch on their own.

• Look for posts that lean or wobble. Fix them before the ground freezes, when resetting a post gets much harder.

• Tighten railing posts and brackets on decks and stairs. A solid handrail matters most when the steps are icy.

• Plan where shoveled snow will go. Pile it away from fence panels instead of against them.

• Aim your snowblower away from fences and railings. Snowblowers can throw ice chunks and gravel hard enough to scuff or damage a finish.

• Use a plastic shovel near railings. A metal blade can scratch aluminum finishes.

If you have a Weatherables® fence or railing, it's low-maintenance and crafted to handle extremes in temperature, so a quick check like this is usually all it needs. If you find a damaged or missing part, contact our team and we'll help you find the right replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Can I winterize my own house?

Yes. Most of this checklist is DIY work: insulating pipes, draining spigots, sealing drafts, changing filters and checking your fence and gates. Leave furnace tune-ups, chimney inspections and roof repairs to licensed pros.

At what temperature should you drip faucets?

There's no single number, because it depends on where your pipes run and how well they're insulated. As a rule of thumb, drip faucets fed by exposed pipes when lows near 20°F are in the forecast. Start sooner if those pipes run through unheated areas.

Will outside faucets freeze at 30 degrees?

They can. Water freezes at 32°F, and an outdoor faucet is exposed on all sides. The risk goes up overnight, in wind or with a hose still attached. Drain and shut off your outdoor spigots before the first freeze so you don't have to wonder.

Your winter home checklist

Work through this list before the first hard freeze.

Pipes

• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas

• Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses

• Shut off and drain outdoor spigots

• Find your main water shutoff valve

• Drip faucets fed by exposed pipes during hard freezes

• Open sink cabinets on cold nights

• Keep the thermostat steady (55°F or higher if you're away)

• Keep the garage door closed

Windows and doors

• Seal air leaks around window frames

• Add insulating window film

• Hang thermal curtains or cellular shades

• Check window locks and hardware

• Replace worn door weatherstripping

• Add door sweeps

Attic

• Check insulation depth

• Seal gaps around vent pipes and wiring holes

• Weatherstrip the attic hatch

• Keep soffit vents clear

Gutters and roof

• Clean gutters and downspouts

• Point downspouts away from the foundation

• Check for loose, cracked or missing shingles

• Check flashing around the chimney and vents

Heating and safety

• Schedule a furnace tune-up

• Replace the furnace filter

• Have the chimney inspected

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Fences, gates and railings

• Clear leaves and debris along the fence line

• Rinse vinyl fencing with mild soap and water

• Check gate hinges and latches

• Fix leaning or wobbly posts before the ground freezes

• Tighten deck and stair railings

• Plan snow piles away from fence panels

Have a question about your fence or railing this winter? Our product experts are a phone call away.