Checklist for Winterizing Your Home
Fall has arrived, and winter is just around the corner. East Texas winters are usually mild, but as many of us remember from February 2021, a hard freeze or ice storm can arrive quickly and do serious damage to homes which aren’t ready. A few hours of maintenance now can save you money, stress and costly repairs later.
“Getting your home ready for winter weather isn’t just about staying warm,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “It’s also about taking proactive steps which help prevent costly damage and reduce stress when temperatures drop.”
BBB offers the following to-do list for preparing your home for colder weather:
Clean those gutters. A buildup of leaves and debris can keep gutters and downspouts from draining properly. Water that spills over can damage your foundation and fascia boards, and in freezing weather, clogged gutters can lead to ice buildup along the roofline. Find gutter contractors near you on BBB.org.
Inspect your roof. Look for loose, missing or damaged shingles and make any needed repairs. Damaged shingles can let in water and ice during the winter and cause interior damage. Find roofing contractors near you on BBB.org.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed. The National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing smoke alarms every 10 years. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says interconnected carbon monoxide alarms are best, because when one sounds, they all sound.
Seal air leaks around windows and doors. Caulk and weather stripping keep cold air out and help keep spiders and insects from getting in. Also check where pipes and wires enter your home. According to ENERGY STAR, the EPA estimates homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by air sealing and adding insulation in attics, crawl spaces and basements.
Schedule HVAC maintenance. Have a licensed professional service your heating system before the first cold snap, and replace filters regularly so your system runs efficiently. A fall tune-up can also catch problems before they leave you without heat on the coldest night of the year. Find heating contractors near you on BBB.org.
Protect your pipes. Insulate pipes in unheated areas like attics, garages and crawl spaces. During a hard freeze, let faucets drip slowly and open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach the plumbing. Make sure everyone in your home knows where the main water shut-off valve is, in case a pipe bursts.
Tend to outdoor faucets. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, store them indoors and cover outdoor spigots. Faucet covers are inexpensive at your local hardware store and help keep exterior pipes from freezing.
Organize your garage. You’ll likely use your garage more in the colder months. Clear out trash and clutter, keep winter supplies easy to reach, and seal cracks or holes to keep out rodents and insects looking for a warm place to stay.
Inspect your driveway. Freezing and thawing, tree roots and shifting ground can all cause cracks. Fall is a good time to fill cracks and apply sealant to prevent water and ice damage. Find driveway repair contractors near you on BBB.org.
Prepare the yard. Trim trees and limbs away from your home and power lines, since ice-laden branches can snap and cause damage or outages. Clean up leaves and debris so pests don’t find shelter. Find BBB Accredited tree service and pest control companies on BBB.org.
Store patio furniture and outdoor items. Put away or cover outdoor furniture, grills and other summer items to protect them from winter weather.
Stock up on winter supplies. Keep ice melt or sand, flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, bottled water and nonperishable food on hand in case an ice storm keeps you home or knocks out power.
Get your chimney inspected. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney inspected and cleaned before using it. Removing soot, blockages and creosote buildup reduces the risk of a chimney fire and helps your fireplace work more efficiently. Make sure the damper opens and closes properly. Find a chimney sweep near you on BBB.org.
Reverse your ceiling fans. In colder months, set your fan blades to turn clockwise at a low speed. This gently pushes warm air near the ceiling back down into the room.
Use generators and space heaters safely. If you have a backup generator, test it now so it’s ready if the power goes out. According to the CPSC, an average of nearly 100 people die in the U.S. each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators. Never run a generator inside your home, garage or any enclosed space, and keep it at least 20 feet from the house. Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything which can burn, plug them directly into a wall outlet and never leave them running unattended.
Review your emergency plan. Talk through your family’s plan for staying warm, keeping in touch and getting to safety if you lose power or heat. Include pets and any neighbors who may need extra help.
Check out any professional before you hire. Look up a company’s BBB Business Profile on BBB.org and search online for reviews before you hire. After a winter storm, be wary of contractors who knock on your door, pressure you to decide on the spot or ask for full payment up front. Get written estimates from more than one company, and make sure the details are in your contract before work begins.
For more information
Tips on hiring a contractor to work in or around your home.
Learn more about maintaining your home on BBB’s home maintenance HQ.
About BBB: BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Visit bbb.org for more information. BBB Serving Central East Texas was founded in 1985 and serves 19 counties.
