Maintenance
How to Prepare Your Home for Winter
By David Golovin · September 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Most winter damage starts with skipped fall maintenance. Burst pipes, heating failures, and ice dams are almost always preventable.
Do before first freeze
- Drain and disconnect outdoor hoses
- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated spaces
- Have your furnace or heat pump serviced
- Clean gutters after leaves fall
- Seal gaps around windows and doors
- Check smoke and CO detector batteries
Do if time allows
- Add attic insulation if under R-38
- Inspect the roof for missing shingles
- Service the fireplace or woodstove
- Blow out irrigation systems
- Trim branches that overhang the roof
- Stock an emergency kit with flashlights and batteries
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
When to start
Target October for most of the U.S. Contractors book fast in fall. Scheduling a furnace inspection in September gets you ahead of the rush.
Why it matters at closing
A home inspection in winter flags deferred maintenance: cracked caulk, aged furnace filters, outdated smoke detectors. A well-maintained home closes with fewer conditions.
FAQ
When should you winterize your home?
Start before the first hard freeze in your area. For most of the continental U.S., October is the right window. Southern states may have until November or later.
How much does winterizing a home cost?
Most essential steps cost under $600. Furnace inspection runs $80 to $150. Gutter cleaning $100 to $300. Weatherstripping $10 to $50 DIY. Pipe insulation $30 to $80.
What happens if you do not winterize your pipes?
Uninsulated pipes in unheated spaces can freeze and burst when temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. A single burst pipe can cause thousands in water damage.