How to best prepare my home for a cold winter to prevent damage?

Preparing your home for a cold winter is one of the best ways to prevent costly damage—and it often helps with insurance claims if something does go wrong. Here’s a solid checklist to protect your home before temperatures drop:

Exterior Preparation

1. Protect Your Roof

• Inspect for missing or damaged shingles.

• Clean gutters and downspouts so melting snow can drain properly.

• Make sure attic insulation is good to prevent ice dams.

2. Winterize Outdoor Water Systems

• Drain and shut off outdoor faucets/sprinklers.

• Insulate exposed pipes in attics, basements, crawlspaces, or garages.

• Disconnect and store garden hoses.

3. Seal the Home Exterior

• Check for cracks around windows, doors, and foundation.

• Add weather stripping or caulking where needed.

• Make sure siding and paint are intact to prevent moisture intrusion.

4. Trim Trees Near the House

• Remove branches that could fall under snow or ice load.

• Prevents roof, siding, or power line damage.

 Interior Preparation

5. Insulate Pipes

• Use heat tape or foam sleeves on pipes in cold areas.

• Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air in during freezes.

6. Optimize Heating System

• Replace furnace filters.

• Have your heating system serviced annually.

• Clean fireplace and chimney if you’ll be using them.

7. Reverse Ceiling Fans

• Switch them to clockwise rotation to push warm air down.

8. Maintain a Consistent Indoor Temperature

• Even if away, keep temp at 55°F or higher to protect pipes.

Winter Storm Readiness

9. Check Emergency Supplies

• Flashlights, blankets, batteries, bottled water.

• A backup heat source (safe space heater, etc.) if possible.

10. Test Detectors

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be functional if heating systems run more often.

11. Know Where Your Water Shut-Off Valve Is

• Critical for stopping damage fast if a pipe bursts.

Bonus Tip for Homeowners with Detached Structures

If you have a detached garage, shop, or outbuilding with water—don’t forget to drain and winterize those as well.