Prepare Your Home for Winter with These Easy Tips | DMV Homeowners

November 14, 2024 Wendy Carpenter-Israel

Easy Winter Preparation Checklist for Homeowners in the DC Metro Area

"Winter is not a season; it's an occupation." — Sinclair Lewis.

Preparing your home for the winter months isn't just about comfort—it's also about protecting your investment and ensuring your property can withstand the season's worst. Frantically winterizing your home in the middle of a snowstorm isn't ideal, so now's the time to get ahead. This winter prep checklist of 20 practical tips will help you safeguard your home and make it more energy-efficient for winter. Planning and completing these tasks before the first big freeze allows you to spend those icy days cozying up indoors instead of scrambling to fix preventable problems.

As Exclusive Buyers Agents with Buyer's Edge, we guide our clients on home maintenance every step of the way. This list results from years of observing what helps homeowners keep their properties in excellent shape. We created our online Recommended Residential Services and Contractor List to ensure you have reliable contacts for these tasks. Here's your ultimate winter preparation guide—get it done now, and you'll be ready to relax with a warm drink as the snow falls!

One Priority is to Winterize the Heating System

Schedule a Professional HVAC Check: Have a certified HVAC technician service your system before winter hits. They'll check everything, from filters to ductwork, ensuring your home heats efficiently. Many homeowners keep annual contracts to avoid costly emergency calls during a freeze.
Change Air Filters: Swap out furnace air filters every two to three months. If you use high-quality filters, they can last longer. This simple task helps maintain indoor air quality and keeps your system running efficiently.
Consider a Programmable Thermostat: Installing a programmable thermostat can save you up to 8% on heating bills. It's a straightforward upgrade that adjusts the temperature according to your schedule.
Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors: This is crucial. Ensure all detectors have fresh batteries. Replace any units over ten years old with newer models featuring longer-lasting batteries.

Protect Plumbing and Pipes as You Prepare Your Home for Winter

Drain Exterior Faucets: Turn off the valves for exterior faucets from inside your home. Drain them and disconnect any hoses to prevent frozen pipes, which are expensive to repair.
Insulate Exposed Pipes: Cover exposed pipes in basements and crawl spaces with insulated sleeves. These sleeves protect against freezing, helping you avoid significant repairs.
Winterize Sprinkler Systems: For homeowners with sprinkler systems, drain and blow out the remaining water before the first freeze. October is ideal for this in the DC metro area.

Winter Prep: Check the Roof, Fireplace, Flue, and Gutters

Inspect Your Roof: Grab a pair of binoculars or hire a professional to check for loose shingles or damaged flashing. Fixing these issues early prevents leaks and costly damage.
Inspect and Clean the Chimney Flue and Cap: Chimneys need yearly cleaning, mainly if you use a wood-burning fireplace. Check that the chimney cap is clear and intact to keep critters and debris out.
Test the Damper: Check that your fireplace damper opens, closes, and locks securely. A functioning damper keeps cold air out when the fireplace isn't used.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, damaging your roof and walls. Clear leaves and debris to ensure proper drainage when snow melts.
Extend Downspouts Away From the Foundation: Attach extensions to downspouts if needed. Keep water at least six feet from your foundation to prevent basement leaks.

Maintain Outdoor Equipment and Furniture Must be Included When Preparing for Winter

Service Snow Blower and Power Equipment: Ensure your snow blower works properly before the first snow. Drain fuel from mowers and other power tools to prevent gumming and rust.
Store Garden Hoses and Turn Off Outdoor Faucets: Disconnect and store hoses. Drain all water and turn off the outdoor faucet supply valve to prevent freezing and pipe bursts.
Prepare Outside Water Fountains: Disconnect, thoroughly clean, and cover your water fountains to protect them, ensuring they're ready to enjoy again in the spring.
Cover Patio Furniture: Invest in waterproof covers for outdoor furniture or bring it indoors. This extends the life of your furniture and prevents winter damage.
Prepare the Outdoor Grill: Clean and cover your grill thoroughly. Many homeowners keep grills accessible for occasional winter use but cover them to prevent rust.

Don’t Forget Landscape and Garden Prep on Your Winter Checklist

Mark Driveways and Garden Beds: Use stakes or markers for garden beds and driveway edges. This will help when shoveling snow and protect plants, driveways, and walkways.
Bring in Outdoor Plants and Cover Fragile Ones: Move delicate plants indoors and cover any plants or shrubs that need protection from the cold.
Trim Trees Near Your Home: Have a professional remove dead branches or overgrown limbs that could fall during winter storms. This proactive step minimizes damage to your roof and windows.

BONUS TIPS - Easy Winter Preparation Checklist for Homeowners

Protect Windows and Doors: Install weatherstripping to eliminate drafts and improve energy efficiency.
Reverse Ceiling Fans: Set fans to rotate clockwise to push warm air down. This minor adjustment can make a noticeable difference in heating efficiency.
Prepare Emergency Kits: Keep a winter emergency kit with essentials in case of power outages.
Check Insulation Levels: Proper insulation in attics and basements can reduce heat loss by up to 25%.
Stock Up on Ice Melt: Buy pet-friendly ice melt to clear walkways. Supplies often sell out quickly during winter storms.
Clean Dryer Vents: Winter months increase dryer use. Cleaning vents reduces fire risk and improves efficiency.
Test Sump Pumps: Ensure sump pumps are operational to avoid flooding during winter thaws.
Organize Snow Removal Gear: Have shovels, gloves, and salt in a ready-to-access spot for the first snowstorm.
Stock Up on Firewood: Buy, chop, and store firewood for wood-burning fireplaces. Gas fireplaces should be inspected for optimal operation.
Hire a Tree Specialist: Have them trim any trees or branches that could pose a risk during severe weather. Late fall and winter are ideal seasons for this maintenance.
Plant Spring Bulbs
Clear Out Bird Houses: Remove old nests from bird boxes to make them fresh and inviting for new arrivals next spring.
Hummingbird Feeders: Clean your hummingbird feeders thoroughly and bring them inside your garage.
E-Bikes: Remember to remove the batteries from electric bikes and store them in a warmer location.

This winter preparation checklist covers the most critical areas to ensure your home is ready for the cold months. Tackling these tasks now will allow you to enjoy a cozy, warm, and well-protected home all winter.