Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Winterizing your home is a very important process for new homeowners, so we want to ensure you and your home are properly prepared before the first frost. Use our winter home maintenance checklist to properly prep your home as the winter season quickly approaches. 

Maintain your Heating System

As temperatures begin to drop, check that your furnace is in working condition and ready to use when it’s needed. You can call a professional for maintenance to assure its functioning properly. If you haven’t already, make sure to replace your furnace air filter to improve air quality and heat efficiency.

Examine Insulation

Don't overlook insulation upgrades as the temperature begins to drop. To guarantee everything is well sealed, examine door frames, molding, and windows for any cracks, missing caulking, or damaged weather strips.

Sprinkler Winterization

Unhook and drain water hoses and hose bibs on your home to prevent pipes from freezing. Shut off exterior water, turn off timers, disconnect your hose from the spigot, and drain remaining water. Keep in mind frozen pipes are not covered under the Builder's Limited Warranty.

Prepare Outdoor Exteriors 

Winter weather can wreak havoc on outdoor surfaces, so don’t forget to seal your driveway and any outdoor concrete to protect it from harmful weather and road salts. To avoid trips and falls on dark or icy surfaces, ensure any exterior lighting is functioning properly. It’s also a good idea to check that any outdoor railings or staircases are sturdy and secure.

Prepare Winter Storm Tools & Essentials

Don’t wait until the next big winter storm hits to make sure your snow blower is in working condition. The winter weather will take a toll on anything left outside, so protect any outdoor items or furniture by covering them or storing them in the garage. Plus, it’s a good idea to stock up on winter tools ahead of time, such as snow shovels, ice scrapers, snow blowers, ice melt, flashlights, and extra blankets.