Ready, Set, Snow: What You Need To Know To Prep Your Home For Winter
Every Minnesotan knows the feeling. One morning in October you step outside, see your breath for the first time, and think, “Oh no. It’s happening again.”
A little preparation now means a much calmer winter later. Here’s a room-by-room checklist, sorted from “do this first” to “do this before the first big freeze.” Grab a coffee and a pen. You’ve got this.
Heating System
Your furnace is about to become the hardest-working member of your household, so take care of it first.
Schedule a tune-up. A professional can inspect the burner, check for safety issues, and catch small problems before they become “no-heat-on-a-Sunday-night” problems. Book early, since HVAC professionals get busy fast once temperatures drop.
Replace the filter. A clogged filter makes your system work harder and circulate dustier air. Many filters need changing every 1-3 months during heavy use, so check the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Test the thermostat. Switch to heat mode and make sure your system actually responds. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, set a schedule that lowers the temperature when you’re asleep or away.
Safety Devices
This is the unglamorous part of the list, and it’s the most important.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries and check the date on each unit, since detectors don’t last forever. Heating season is exactly when CO risk goes up.
Check your fire extinguisher. Make sure it’s accessible, and the gauge shows it’s charged.
Have your chimney inspected. If you use a wood-burning fireplace, a professional sweep can remove buildup and spot damage. Use dry, seasoned wood, and keep the damper operating smoothly.
Roof, Gutters, and Exterior
The outside of your house takes the biggest beating during colder months, so a walk-around now pays off.
Clean the gutters. Clogged gutters hold water that freezes, adds weight, and can contribute to ice dams. Pull out the leaves, then check that downspouts direct water well away from your foundation.
Look over the roof. Scan for missing, curled, or cracked shingles from the ground, or use binoculars. If something looks off, have a roofer take a closer look. Please skip the DIY ladder adventure on a chilly morning.
Trim branches. Limbs hanging over your roof or near power lines can snap under heavy snow or ice. Have large ones handled by a professional.
Check the foundation and grading. Soil should slope away from the house so melting snow doesn’t pool against it.
Plumbing
Frozen pipes are the classic winter headache, and they’re very preventable.
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Water left in a hose can freeze and damage the spigot and the pipe behind it.
Shut off exterior faucets. If your home has an interior shut-off valve for outdoor spigots, close it and drain the line. If you’re not sure, a plumber can show you.
Insulate exposed pipes. Pipes in unheated spaces like crawl spaces, garages, and basement corners benefit from foam pipe sleeves.
Find your main water shut-off. Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. If a pipe ever bursts, you’ll be glad you practiced.
Plan for cold snaps. On the coldest nights, opening cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls lets warmer room air reach the pipes.
Inside the Home
A few small tasks make the cold months more comfortable.
Reverse your ceiling fans. Many fans have a switch that runs the blades clockwise at low speed, which pushes warm air down from the ceiling.
Check the water heater. Look for leaks or rust, and consider flushing it if it’s due.
Test your sump pump. If you have one, pour water into the pit and make sure it kicks on. Spring melt will be here sooner than you think.
Snow Season Gear
Better to find out your snowblower won’t start in October than in the middle of a blizzard.
Start up the snowblower. Check the fuel, spark plug, and belts, or have it serviced.
Restock the essentials. Buy ice melt, check that your shovels haven’t snapped, and put them somewhere easy to reach, not buried behind the lawn chairs.
Mark your driveway edges. Stakes or reflectors help you and the plow driver know where things end.
Store summer gear. Bring in patio furniture, grills, and planters, or cover them securely.
You don’t have to do everything in one weekend. Try tackling the checklist in three rounds: safety and heating first, exterior and plumbing next, and snow gear last. Spreading it out keeps it manageable, and a warm drink between tasks is encouraged.